Search Results (60)

Beef production is widely recognized as a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, making robust and transparent environmental assessments essential for advancing sustainability within supply chains. This study applies a comprehensive cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of beef destined for export, following ISO 14040, ISO 14044 and ISO 14067 standards and the Product Category Rules for meat of mammals. Sixteen impact categories were quantified for 1 kg of vacuum-packed beef using detailed primary data from a pasture-based production system and a representative processing facility. The total climate change impact was 3.27 × 10¹ kg CO₂eq, with enteric methane and feed production jointly responsible for over 70% of overall impacts. Slaughtering and distribution were associated mainly with fossil energy use and ozone depletion, while soil carbon sequestration partially compensated biogenic emissions. The results were consistent with international benchmarks, highlighting the environmental advantages of pasture-based systems, low fertilizer use, and stable land management. Key hotspots were identified in animal growth, feed efficiency, and manure management, with logistics also contributing notably. Overall, the study provides a high-resolution environmental baseline that can support Environmental Product Declarations and guide targeted mitigation strategies across beef supply chains. While the results are derived from a specific pasture-based production system, the study is positioned as a case-study-based application of a high-resolution LCA framework, illustrating how detailed inventories can support environmental benchmarking and hotspot identification without implying statistical representativeness of all beef production systems. Full article

The optimization of crop production in the context of agricultural land use and production inputs is a strategic element of sustainable development. Fertilization and irrigation are vital components of agricultural engineering, driving crop quantity and quality. The objective of the study discussed here was to assess greenhouse gas emissions from carrot cultivation depending on the variant of the fertilization and irrigation processes. One tonne of marketable carrot yield was selected as the functional unit. A controlled field experiment in a split-plot configuration was carried out to deliver the objective. Calculation of the total quantity of greenhouse gases emitted from the crop was carried out according to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. Boundaries of the system encompassed the production and use of fertilizers and pesticides, the consumption of energy for agro-engineering activities and irrigation, as well as GHG emissions from soil resources and crop residue. The reference unit for the study was an object (plot) irrigated according to production practice in the area where the study was conducted. Under those conditions, greenhouse gas emissions totaled 75.68 kg CO² ⸱ t⁻¹ of the commercial product. Optimization, involving precise irrigation and fertilization using slow-release fertilizers, reduced the carbon footprint to 54.33 kg CO² ⸱ t⁻¹ of the commercial product. GHG emissions were thus reduced by 30%. The use of slow-release fertilizers resulted in a reduction of total greenhouse gas emissions per unit of marketable yield by 15% for non-irrigated crops and by 17% for irrigated crops. Irrigation, in turn, resulted in a reduction of total GHG emissions by 8% for conventional fertilization and by 11% for slow-release fertilization. Full article

Polymeric membranes are promising materials for post-combustion CO₂ capture (PCC), yet their life cycle environmental performance remains uncertain. This review synthesizes 21 life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of polymeric membrane-based PCC systems to examine methodological choices, quantify environmental trade-offs, and identify research gaps. Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and MDPI were searched up to January 2026. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed against a 10-criteria framework derived from ISO 14044. Results indicate widely varying system boundaries and functional units, with only four studies performing formal uncertainty analysis. Within individual study contexts, polymeric membrane gas separation systems can reduce global warming potential (GWP) by up to 89% compared to no-capture plants, though other impacts, like ozone depletion potential, increase by up to 780%. Compared to amine-based absorption, membranes showed superior performance, with reductions up to 26% in GWP and 98% in other categories. In some cases, large relative reductions are driven by scenario-specific baselines and should be interpreted with caution. Outcomes were most sensitive to background energy mixes and raw material demand. The absence of commercial-scale data highlights the need for harmonized frameworks and standardized functional units. Future research should prioritize membrane material selection, renewable energy integration, and coordinated policy–industry collaboration. Full article

The transition toward a circular economy is essential for reducing the environmental impacts of post-consumer packaging waste. In Colombia, the Circular Vision Collective operates a nationwide Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for packaging recovery and recycling. This study applies a life cycle assessment (LCA), in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, to evaluate the environmental performance of the Circular Vision system during 2024. Using a functional unit of one metric ton of post-consumer packaging, three scenarios were assessed: landfill disposal, circular management and transformation, and avoided impacts from virgin material substitution. Seven packaging material streams were analyzed using SimaPro 9.6 and the Ecoinvent 3.10 database, supported by primary operational data. The results show that the circular management system delivers net environmental benefits across all evaluated impact categories, achieving reductions exceeding 10% in key indicators, such as global warming potential, energy demand, and resource use, particularly for plastics, metals, and paper-based materials. Full article

The growing adoption of life cycle assessment (LCA) across productive sectors has yet to be systematically examined in terms of its capacity to drive environmental transformation beyond methodological assessment. This systematic review (2018–2024) explores how LCA functions as a catalyst for environmental change in products, processes, and systems. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 657 records from Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were screened, yielding 50 high-quality studies assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool; bibliometric network analysis via VOSviewer complemented qualitative thematic synthesis. Findings reveal a shift from conventional standardized life cycle assessment methodologies toward integrated frameworks such as LCSA, incorporating regionalized characterization factors, uncertainty quantification, and digital technologies. Applications across energy, agri-food, manufacturing, construction, and waste management support SDGs 12, 13, and 9 by identifying hotspots, comparing technologies, and informing policy. However, inconsistencies in functional units, system boundaries, and impact methods, alongside limited social and economic integration, restrict cross-study comparability. The evidence indicates that LCA is evolving from an assessment tool into a deliberative decision-making infrastructure, requiring harmonized yet context-specific methodologies and robust social indicators for equitable implementation. This review offers original value by combining bibliometric and critical methodological synthesis to map how life-cycle thinking induces environmental transformation, revealing the gap between evaluative capacity and transformative implementation. Full article

This study evaluates the environmental performance of plywood manufactured from thermally modified birch veneers using the Thermovuoto^® process, bonded with a birch bark–derived suberinic acids adhesive. Framed within the context of sustainable materials development and the circular bioeconomy, the research examines the potential of bio-based adhesive systems as alternatives to conventional phenol–formaldehyde resins. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed, encompassing birch bark harvesting, adhesive production, veneer thermal modification, plywood manufacturing, distribution to the customer, and end-of-life management. Environmental impacts were modelled using openLCA 2.4 in combination with the Ecoinvent 3.11 database, in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, applying the ReCiPe 2016 v.1.03 (H) midpoint life cycle impact assessment method. The results indicate that the birch bark extraction stage, particularly ethanol use derived from potato fermentation, constitutes the dominant contributor across all assessed impact categories. Overall, the LCA outcomes suggest that thermally modified, suberinic-acid-bonded birch plywood represents a promising niche bio-based material, with clear potential for further environmental improvement through process optimization. Full article

Protection of water resources is an urgent priority in the context of increasing freshwater scarcity. Sustainable and circular water management focuses on reducing water consumption as well as measures to recover and reuse alternative water sources. This study assesses the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a domestic rainwater harvesting (DRWH) system located in Poland. Moreover, the most significant environmental contributors and the quantification of each component’s role in the system’s overall footprint are assessed. The study used the OpenLCA tool and assumes 1 m³ of treated water as the functional unit. Findings reveal a highly concentrated impact distribution for the components. The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tank dominates, which represents 78.69% of total environmental impacts and leads in 18 of the 18 categories examined. Its influence is greatest in non-renewable fossil energy use, where it accounts for 92% of the impact, and in photochemical oxidant formation, with contributions exceeding 90%. The data quality assessment (DQA) of the system resulted in uncertain temporal and geographical correlation. Further Monte Carlo simulations confirmed the uncertainties regarding climate change and energy-related impact categories. The methodology aligns with ISO 14044 guidelines, providing a foundation for evidence-based environmental management decisions. Full article

Increasing regulatory and societal pressures to reduce environmental impacts have led the industry to adopt more robust evaluation methods. This study assessed the potential impacts of quick-change abrasive discs—short-life-cycle products made from aluminium oxide, zirconia, and ceramic gel. The evaluation used a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044. The functional unit examined was a 0.29 m² abrasive sheet containing 180 discs, with an average use time of 10 min per disc. Environmental impacts were estimated in SimaPro 9.2 using the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) method and the Ecoinvent 3.6 database. Results indicated that the highest impacts were marine ecotoxicity (49.5%, 0.67–0.74 kg 1,4-DCB eq), freshwater ecotoxicity (32.8%, 0.52–0.58 kg 1,4-DCB eq), human carcinogenic toxicity (10.4%, 0.37–0.44 kg 1,4-DCB eq), non-carcinogenic toxicity (3.6%, 6.9–7.9 kg 1,4-DCB eq), and terrestrial ecotoxicity (2.0%, 27–33 kg 1,4-DCB eq), primarily resulting from raw material production and the high consumption of electricity and fuel during manufacturing. Improvement strategies, such as changes in disc geometry and the integration of photovoltaic systems, reduced impacts by 14–27%. Additional measures addressed energy efficiency, local supplier development, and user awareness for responsible use and disposal. Full article

This research presents a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 26 mm Crown cork metal closures used in glass bottle packaging, with the objective of quantifying and comparing their environmental impacts across all life cycle stages. This study adheres to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards and utilizes Microsoft Excel for structuring and documenting input–output data across each phase. The LCA encompasses three primary stages: raw material production (covering iron ore extraction and steel manufacturing), manufacturing processes (including metal sheet printing, forming, and packaging of closures), and the transport phase (distribution to bottling facilities). During the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), steel production emerged as the most environmentally burdensome phase. It accounted for the highest emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and sulphur oxides (SO_x), while emissions of heavy metals and volatile organic compounds were found to be negligible. The Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) was carried out using the Eco-Indicator 99 methodology, which organizes emissions into impact categories related to human health, ecosystem quality, and resource depletion. Final weighting revealed that steel production is the dominant contributor to overall environmental impact, followed by the manufacturing stage. In contrast, transportation exhibited the lowest relative impact. The interpretation phase confirmed these findings and emphasized steel production as the critical stage for environmental optimization. This study highlights the potential for substantial environmental improvements through the adoption of low-emission steel production technologies, particularly Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) processes that incorporate high percentages of recycled steel. Implementing such technologies could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 68%, positioning steel production as a strategic focus for sustainability initiatives within the packaging sector. Full article

As manufacturing industries pursue net-zero emission (NZE) goals, hybrid manufacturing processes that integrate additive manufacturing (AM) with traditional casting techniques are gaining traction for their sustainability potential across the globe. Therefore, this work presents a “gate-to-gate” life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing AM-assisted sand casting (AM-SC) and AM-assisted investment casting (AM-IC), for Al-Si5-Cu3 alloy as a case material, under various energy scenarios including a conventional grid mix and renewable sources (wind, solar, hydro, and biomass). This study compares multiple environmental impact categories based on the CML 2001 methodology. The outcomes show that AM-SC consistently outperforms AM-IC in most impact categories. Under the grid mix scenario, AM-SC achieves 31.57% lower GWP, 19.28% lower AP, and 21.15% lower EP compared to AM-IC. AM-SC exhibits a 90.5% reduction in “Terrestrial Ecotoxicity Potential” and 75.73% in “Marine Ecotoxicity Potential”. Wind energy delivers the most significant emission reduction across both processes, reducing GWP by up to 98.3%, while AM-IC performs slightly better in HTP. These outcomes of the study offer site-specific empirical insights that support strategic decision-making for process selection and energy optimisation in casting. By quantifying environmental trade-offs aligned with India’s current energy mix and future renewable targets, the study provides a practical benchmark for tracking incremental gains toward the NZE goal. This work followed international standards (ISO 14040 and 14044), and the data were validated with both foundry records and field measurements; this study ensures reliable methods. The findings provide practical applications for making sustainable choices in the manufacturing process and show that the AM-assisted conventional manufacturing process is a promising route toward net-zero goals. Full article

This study aims to assess the environmental profile and identify environmental hotspots of indoor hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivation through environmental impact analysis under four scenarios combining two nutrient solutions and two lighting intensities (540 W and 900 W). Indoor cultivation of industrial hemp is becoming increasingly relevant as plant production shifts to controlled environments, raising the need to evaluate its environmental implications. The assessment was conducted using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology in accordance with the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, applying a cradle-to-gate system boundary and a functional unit of 1 kg of dried hemp inflorescence. Primary data were obtained from a controlled cultivation experiment, while secondary data were drawn from validated databases. The carbon footprint ranged from 1050 to 1610 kg CO₂ eq per kilogram of dried inflorescence. Scenarios with 900 W lighting showed 30–35% lower impacts per kilogram compared to 540 W variants. Electricity production and consumption were identified as major environmental hotspots, dominating most impact categories. The study concludes that improving input–output efficiency is essential for sustainable indoor cultivation and that integrating renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics or biomass, could further reduce environmental impacts. Full article

Access to renewable energy is vital for rural development and climate change mitigation. The intermittency of renewable sources necessitates efficient energy storage, especially in off-grid applications. This study evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental performance of an off-grid hybrid system for the rural settlement of Soma, Turkey. Using HOMER Pro 3.14.2 software, a system consisting of solar, wind, battery, and hydrogen components was modeled under four scenarios with Cyclic Charging (CC) and Load Following (LF) control strategies for optimization. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and hydrogen leakage impacts were calculated separately through MATLAB R2019b analysis in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. Scenario 1 (PV + wind + battery + H₂) offered the most balanced solution with a net present cost (NPC) of USD 297,419, with a cost of electricity (COE) of USD 0.340/kWh. Scenario 2 without batteries increased hydrogen consumption despite a similar COE. Scenario 3 with wind only achieved the lowest hydrogen consumption and the highest efficiency. In Scenario 4, hydrogen consumption decreased with battery reintegration, but COE increased. Specific CO₂ emissions ranged between 36–45 gCO₂-eq/kWh across scenarios. Results indicate that the control strategy and component selection strongly influence performance and that hydrogen-based hybrid systems offer a sustainable solution in rural areas. Full article

Growing concern for environmental sustainability has resulted in the implementation of sanitization methods that respect ecological principles. This research evaluates a “green” sanitizing protocol that uses CAM (Minimum Environmental Criteria)-compliant products against a traditional protocol within two ASL Roma 1 facilities. The study performed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) following ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and ISO 14067 standards to measure greenhouse gases emissions. Microbiological sampling was conducted according to established protocols across three different risk zones utilizing contact plates and surface swabs. The Life Cycle Assessment showed that CO₂ emissions reduced by 49.6% to 53.3% at different sites due to reduced energy use together with concentrated detergents and improved washing cycles. Microbiological testing revealed notable decreases in contamination rates across both cleaning systems yet demonstrated the “green” system achieved superior results specifically within high-risk zones. The “green” protocol matched traditional cleaning methods hygienically but delivered significant environmental advantages which positions it as a sustainable hospital cleaning solution. Full article

The building sector significantly contributes to global energy consumption and carbon emissions, primarily due to the extensive use of carbon-intensive materials such as concrete and steel. Mass timber construction, particularly using cross-laminated timber (CLT), offers a promising low-carbon alternative. This study aims to calculate the embodied carbon emissions and biogenic carbon storage of a CLT-based affordable housing project, 340+ Dixwell in New Haven, Connecticut. This project was designed using a honeycomb structural system, where mass timber floors and roofs are supported by mass timber-bearing walls. The authors are not aware of a prior study that has evaluated the life cycle impacts of honeycomb mass timber construction while considering Timber Use Intensity (TUI). Unlike traditional post-and-beam systems, the honeycomb design uses nearly twice the amount of timber, resulting in higher carbon sequestration. This makes the study significant from a sustainability perspective. This study follows International Standard Organization (ISO) standards 14044, 21930, and 21931 and reports the results for both lifecycle stages A1–A3 and A1–A5. The analysis covers key building components, including the substructure, superstructure, and enclosure, with timber, concrete, metals, glass, and insulation as the materials assessed. Material quantities were extracted using Autodesk Revit^®, and the life cycle assessment (LCA) was evaluated using One Click LCA (2015)^®. The A1 to A3 stage results of this honeycomb building revealed that, compared to conventional mass timber housing structures such as Adohi Hall and Heartwood, it demonstrates the lowest embodiedf carbon emissions and the highest biogenic carbon storage per square foot. This outcome is largely influenced by its higher Timber Use Intensity (TUI). Similarly, the A1-A5 findings indicate that the embodied carbon emissions of this honeycomb construction are 40% lower than the median value for other multi-family residential buildings, as assessed using the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) Embodied Carbon Emissions Benchmark Study of various buildings. Moreover, the biogenic carbon storage per square foot of this building is 60% higher than the average biogenic carbon storage of reference mass timber construction types. Full article

The growing need for healthy and sustainable food alternatives has led to a rapid increase in vegan burgers on the market. Specifically, plant-based burgers using legumes as a protein substitute are amongst the most widespread choices for consumers. While these products can offer environmental benefits over traditional meat-based options, further optimization in both ecological and economic aspects can be achieved. This study conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) analysis to evaluate and optimize the environmental and economic life cycle of a legume-based vegan burger. LCA was performed in accordance with the recommendations of the ISO 14040 and 14044 series, and ReCiPe 2016 Hierarchist served as the impact assessment methodology. For this purpose, a base case scenario, relying on imported raw materials and conventional packaging for a legume-based vegan burger, was established to serve as the comparison benchmark, and various alternative scenarios were examined, focusing on minimizing the distance between cultivation and processing areas for key legume ingredients and improving packaging materials. The results indicate that reducing transportation distances for raw ingredients and using bio-polyethylene packaging significantly enhance sustainability. Specifically, the legume-based vegan burger of the base case scenario had a carbon footprint of 1.30 kg CO₂ eq. and a total life cycle cost of EUR 2.43 per two pieces. In contrast, the optimized scenario, which incorporated shorter transportation distances and bio-polyethylene packaging, achieved a carbon footprint of 0.51 kg CO₂ eq. and a reduced cost of EUR 2.37. The findings of the present work highlight the potential for further environmental and economic improvements in vegan burger production through logistics optimization and selection of climate-friendly packaging solutions, thus contributing to sustainable development. Full article