Life cycle assessment and leather production

Feeding a growing, increasingly affluent population while limiting environmental pressures of food production is a central challenge for society. Understanding the location and magnitude of food production is key to addressing this challenge because pressures vary substantially across food production types. Applying data and models from life cycle assessment with the methodologies for mapping cumulative environmental impacts of human activities (hereafter cumulative impact mapping) provides a powerful approach to spatially map the cumulative environmental pressure of food production in a way that is consistent and comprehensive across food types. However, these methodologies have yet to be combined. By synthesizing life cycle assessment and cumulative impact mapping methodologies, we provide guidance for comprehensively and cumulatively mapping the environmental pressures (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, spatial occupancy, and freshwater use) associated with food production systems. This spatial approach enables quantification of current and potential future environmental pressures, which is needed for decision makers to create more sustainable food policies and practices.

Urban solid waste management is an important component of urban sustainability. The concept of evaluating technologies from both life cycle and urban metabolism perspectives is proposed in this study. The analysis from life cycle perspective (using physical input-output life cycle assessment model) provides support for determining the priority of technologies, and the analysis from urban metabolism perspective (using physical input-output model) provides support for identifying the acceptability of technologies. Suzhou City in China is taken as an example. From urban metabolism perspective, sludge recycling is regarded as an accepted method, while current fly ash recycling method is unsatisfying. Technical levels of scrap tire recycling and food waste recycling should be improved to reduce their negative effects on Suzhou's urban metabolism. From life cycle perspective, sludge recycling has the smallest environmental impacts, and scrap tire recycling has larger environmental impacts than food waste recycling does. Thus, more concerns should be paid to technical improvements of scrap tire recycling than to that of food waste recycling. The concept of evaluating technologies from both life cycle and urban metabolism perspectives in this study provides foundations for evaluating technologies in other countries and cities.

Since the opening of European electricity markets, companies are launching green electricity products. In Switzerland the privately initiated eco-label “naturemade star” ensures the environmental and ecological quality of electricity from renewable energy sources on a local scale and from a life cycle perspective. For the life cycle perspective, a simplified and partly site-specific life cycle assessment (LCA) is applied using the Eco-indicator 99 (Hierachist perspective) impact assessment method. In a first step, detailed LCAs case studies are made for power plants and technologies that are candidates for the „naturemade star“ label. They allow identifying technology-specific parameters that dominate the outcome of the LCA and for which data are available for the owner or operator of the power plant at issue. Based on this knowledge, key parameter models for photovoltaic, wind and hydroelectric power and electricity from biogas have been established on a spreadsheet-basis. With the help of the parameter models, operators of power plants can carry out the required LCA within a few hours. At the same time, they can check whether the plant fulfils the “naturemade star” threshold or not, which has been set to 50% of the environmental impact of a gas combined cycle power plant. Within a few months since the introduction of the labelling scheme, companies successfully applied the parameter models on nearly 50 photovoltaic and on several hydroelectric power plants. LCA is, in combination with other tools, a useful method for the definition of standards for environmental labelling of green electricity. Introduction Since the opening of European electricity markets, companies are launching so called “green” electricity products. Therefore, in several countries different criteria exist how to define and label “green electricity”, as the product itself has no specific green characteristics. In Switzerland, the privately initiated eco-label “naturemade star” ensures the environmental and ecological quality of electricity from renewable energy sources on a local and regional scale as well as from a life cycle perspective. Method Global and local criteria are used within the certification scheme for electricity from renewable resources with the level naturemade star. Local criteria are specific for every type of electricity production. Hydro power plants, i.e. have to fulfil certain ecological criteria for the amount of by-passed water. The global criterion, with one threshold for all systems, is based on life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies. Fig. 1 shows the decision tree for the labelling of electricity and the role of LCA in this scheme. A second, less stringent label is naturemade basic that is used for all types of electricity production with the main criterion that it is based on renewable energy carriers. 1 See information for the “Verein fur Umweltgerechte Elektrizitat (VUE)” (Association for environmental sound electricity) on http://www.naturemade.org for details. The association is formed by representatives of electricity companies and environmental NGO’s. Key parameter models 2 local critera fulfilled? global criteron fulfilled? Data input: Plant parameters LCI data & impact assessment methods Ecoindicator 99 Points (H) Examination of plant-specific, local criteria

Leather processing in Ethiopia and Kenya: lessons from India

Food waste is a critical issue with implications for consumers, environmental sustainability, and supply chain dynamics. The primary objective of this research was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of recent literature on food waste, using Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus to identify gaps for future research projects especially on the field of food waste and sustainable food waste management. This approach allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the performance and efficiency of scientific research in this area. The use of both databases was a distinctive aspect of the study, as previous research has typically relied on a single database. The study analysed publication trends between 2019 and 2024, focusing on highly cited documents, research areas, and keyword co-occurrence patterns, highlighting the growing relevance and importance of sustainability. In particular, there has been a significant increase in research published in environmental sciences, engineering, and energy fuels since 2020, reflecting the growing recognition of the role of food waste in reducing environmental footprints and enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability. The keyword analysis showed that between 2021 and 2023, the dominant themes were circular economy, sustainable development, development goals, supply chains, and life cycle assessments. More recent publications have shifted towards topics such as artificial intelligence, Sustainable Development Goals, empirical analysis, energy transition and green marketing. The research shows that the hospitality industry plays a crucial role in the sustainable food waste management, with effective strategies involving management practices, employee training, consumer behavior, and digital technologies offering both environmental and economic benefits. Further research is needed to explore the influence of cultural, institutional, emotional, and demographic factors, as well as the potential of circular economy models and platform-based solutions to enhance waste reduction and sustainability in different contexts. • A bibliometric analysis on food waste was performed using WOS and Scopus databases • The bibliometric analysis highlighted the global distribution of publications, with the UK, Italy, Spain, China, and the US leading in terms of output • Between 2021 and 2023, the dominant themes were circular economy, sustainable development, development goals, supply chains, and life cycle assessments • Recent publications moved towards sustainable development and bibliometric analysis, environmental sustainability and responsibility, circular business and economy. • The integration of circular economy approach into sustainability goals is a key strategy for reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency

Coming out the egg: Assessing the benefits of circular economy strategies in agri-food industry

The main aim of the study was to compare two technologies of diesel engine piston manufacturing. Additionally, a simplified analysis was also made for the operation stage. The environmental impact was determined using a life cycle assessment. The research was conducted in four phases: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment and interpretation. From the perspective of production itself, the aluminium pistons have been revealed to be a better option. However, differing emission characteristics and lower impact while in operation have compensated for the differences resulting from production and equalised the environmental impact of both solutions. Despite less environmentally friendly production, the fact that steel pistons are used in newer generations of engines means that, in terms of the two analysed life cycle stages, both solutions are environmentally comparable. The environmental hot spots of the production processes turned out to be different, although in both cases, they are associated with energy consumption. The research is of an applied nature with reference to real production processes and with highlights of the importance of factoring in the perspective of life cycle.

Circular economy: To be or not to be in a closed product loop? A Life Cycle Assessment of aluminium cans with inclusion of alloying elements

An analytical review on application of life cycle assessment in circular economy for built environment

This research aims to assess the current freshwater use in the cassava supply chain for food, feed fuel in the Mun basin, and the water scarcity impact and possible options to increase cassava production to meet the future demand following the Renewable and Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) target. This research analyzes freshwater use based on ISO 14046 water footprint assessment. The analysis was implemented based on a life cycle perspective that determines the impact on freshwater use from cassava products along their supply chain. Both direct water use and indirect water use that associated are analyzed. Midpoint impact of water use was assessed using water stress index (WSI) to calculate water scarcity footprint. The results show that in the current situation, total freshwater use of all cassava-related product in Mun basin in the base case is 1140 million m3/year. When WSI was applied, water scarcity footprint of all cassava-related products in the Mun basin in the base case was only 147 million m3/year. In the scenario 1, increasing irrigation to increase yield in the existing cassava cultivation area in the Mun basin has the largest water use compare to other scenarios. Scenarios 2 and 3, expanding cassava cultivation area in Mun basin and in other regions, have lower water and water scarcity impact than scenario 1. The benefit from transforming paddy rice (in unsuitable areas) to cassava cultivation was also good. However, more resources are required including land, energy, or fertilizer, and other environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emission or eutrophication could be increased from the increasing resource use. Therefore, the decision-making process needs to consider the trade-off between those factors, and a more complete life cycle assessment (LCA) on the envisioned alternatives should be applied for further analysis. The increasing demand of biofuels derived from cassava can increase stress on water in the Mun River basin. Increasing irrigation water use in the area as per requirement could possibly increase yield to meet the future feedstock demand but has large water scarcity impact. However, this could be alleviated by using groundwater from additional wells in the farm. Expanding cassava cultivation area could be another option having low water scarcity impact, but it requires more resources and could increase other environmental impacts that need to be further analyzed by a complete LCA.

Due to the growing threat of climate change, we are challenged to find improved assessment practises to recognize solutions for sustainable urban development. The focus of the study is on the life cycle design of a district energy system for a new residential development in Finland. This study analyses LCC (life cycle costs) and carbon emissions (LCA (life cycle assessment)), i.e., the “viability” of different energy systems through a methodological life cycle framework. By combining LCC and LCA, a LCM (life cycle management) perspective is portrayed to support decision-making on a long-term basis. The comparable energy design options analysed are (1) district heating (reference design), (2) district heating with building integrated photovoltaic panels, (3) ground source heat pump, and (4) ground source heat pump with building-integrated photovoltaic panels. The results show that the design option with the highest initial investment (4) is in fact the most viable from a life cycle perspective. This study further strengthens the connection between cost savings and carbon emissions reduction in a life cycle context. Thus, by implementing LCC and LCA analysis in an early design phase, justified economic and environmental design decisions can be identified to develop more sustainable urban areas.

Context The European Commission (EC) recognised Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as "the best framework for assessing the potential environmental impacts of products". It also identified "the need to improve data availability and quality worldwide by internationally cooperating on LCA data and methods". The life cycle approach is also part of the 2011 Communication on "A resource-efficient Europe – Flagship initiative under the Europe 2020 Strategy". To support these life cycle based EU policies, the EC has started the "European Platform on Life Cycle Assessment (EPCLA)"[1]services (e.g. consulting or research services), tools (e.g. LCA tools, ecodesign tools), databases (e.g. LCI databases) and the corresponding developers and providers. in 2005. This Platform is implemented and coordinated by the EC Directorate-General Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Environment and Sustainability, in close collaboration with DG Environment. The Platform works on the basis of coherent and quality-assured life cycle data, methods, and studies. The LCA Resource Directory is one of the deliverables of the Platform. This application has been running since 2006 and it contains lists of Novelty The LCA Resource Directory has recently been further developed so that it can contain and organize LCA case studies and metadata on these studies. The new LCA Resource Directory will be launched during the Fall 2011. Methods The new functionalities of the LCA Resource Directory allow users (LCA expert and non-expert) to browse a database of LCA studies. Thanks to the searching tool, a user can sort the information available as metadata and identify relevant LCA studies according to his/her interests. Many of the fields of the template used to characterize LCA studies are based on the ISO 1404x series. Some fields of the template are mandatory (e.g. functional unit and system boundary) in order to assure that the information showed in the application fulfills most of the requirements of the ISO 14044 for reports to be disclosed to the public. Other fields of the template include: "Intended application(s)", "LCIA impact categories" and "Compliance". The LCA study has to be uploaded on the Directory. Moreover, a final verification step is performed by the web application administrator to ensure quality and consistency. The application is open worldwide (http://lca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/lcainfohub/directory.vm). Any research group, company, university, etc. is now able, after registration, to upload studies and give metadata on them using a template. DG JRC will be in charge of the maintenance of the application and will populate the Directory with the first set of studies during the Fall 2011. An open call to relevant research groups and institutions will be send in order to populate the Directory with registered users and studies. Conclusions With these new capabilities of the Resource Directory, the EPLCA makes progress in its aim of promoting life cycle thinking when making available to all kind of LCA practitioners a good quality database of LCA studies, together with a searching tool. [1] http://lct.jrc.ec.europa.eu/

The environmental effects of the industrial manufacture of ice cream through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach is the main focus of this study. A 200-liter batch of raw material (about 100 kg of product – ice cream) is considered as the functional unit. The LCA has a cradle-to-gate boundary. The study assesses energy and water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), and locates environmental hotspots during the production process, while adhering to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. To prepare a comprehensive life cycle inventory (LCI), the evaluation combines primary data from manufacturers with secondary data from well-known databases, such as Ecoinvent v3.8. The ice-cream manufacturing facility considered for the study is located in Pune, Maharashtra. With an average carbon footprint of 7.14 kg CO₂e per kg of ice cream, the analysis shows a total carbon footprint of 713.91 kg CO₂-equivalent for the studied batch of the product, which is much higher than the global average for dairy-based frozen desserts (1.5–3.0 kg CO₂e/kg). Due to the dairy industry's high resource and energy requirements, milk solids (43%), electricity use (9.2%), and embedded water in dairy inputs are the main causes of the increased emissions. The usage of chemical stabilizers (such as CMC Carboxy Methyl Cellulose), artificial flavorings and colorants, and paper-based packaging are other factors that contribute significantly to emissions because of their energy-intensive processing and lack of recycling or reuse plans. The environmental costs of every processing step—mixing, pasteurization, aging, freezing, hardening, and packaging that primarily relies on energy-intensive equipment are also highlighted by the LCA. Notably, because refrigeration relies on power derived from fossil fuels and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, the study highlights the significance of refrigeration across the supply chain as a persistent source of carbon emissions.

Maritime decarbonization is considered one of the most current and important issues in the maritime industry. The studies on the subject constitute a strong infrastructure for the rules and regulations that the International Maritime Organization should put forward as a top authority. Among these studies, papers and reports examining the subject from a life cycle perspective are of particular importance. Examining the environmental impacts of alternative fuels used on ships with a holistic approach from the cradle-to-grave perspective is very important to determine which method is “really” environmentally friendly. Life cycle assessment not only allows methods to be compared but also explains which process needs to be environmentally corrected among all the processes of the method. Within the scope of this study, first, basic information on the impacts of shipping to the climate change and life cycle assessment was presented, and then, alternative fuels (e.g., ammonia, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, methanol, etc.) are examined from a life cycle perspective. Thus, it is aimed to evaluate the applications of life cycle assessment in the maritime sector holistically.

SummaryEmissions derived from human digestion of food and subsequent excretion are very relevant from a life cycle perspective, and yet they are often omitted from food life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. This article offers a simple model to allocate and include these emissions in LCAs of specific foodstuffs. The model requires basic food composition values and calculates the mass and energy balance for carbon, water, nutrients (mainly nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]), and other inorganic substances through different excretion paths: breathing, feces, and urine. In addition to direct excretion, the model also allocates some auxiliary materials and energy related to toilet use, such as flushing and washing and drying hands. Wastewater composition is also an output of the model, enabling water treatment to be modeled in LCA studies. The sensitivity of the model to food composition is illustrated with different food products, and the relative importance of excretion in a product's life cycle is shown with an example of broccoli. The results show that this model is sensitive to food composition and thus useful for assessing the environmental consequences of shifts in diet. From a life cycle perspective, the results show that postconsumption nutrient emissions may dominate the impacts on eutrophication potential, and they illustrate how the carbon cycle is closed with the human emissions after food preparation and consumption.