What does Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) measure?

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) focuses on evaluating the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction through production, use, and disposal. This comprehensive assessment helps identify areas where environmental improvements can be made throughout the product's lifecycle, emphasizing sustainable practices and reducing negative ecological footprints.

By measuring factors such as resource consumption, energy use, waste generation, and emissions to air, water, and land, LCA provides an integrated view of how a product interacts with the environment over its entire lifespan. This information is crucial for organizations aiming to make informed decisions about product design, materials, processes, and end-of-life management, ultimately leading to more environmentally friendly products and practices.