Page 80 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

L1644_C02.fm Page 57 Tuesday, October 21, 2003 3:07 PM

3. Abridged LCA. The main criticism of LCA is the time, expertise, and
data needed if the assessment is to be thorough. Therefore, abridged LCA
tools have been developed that are essentially simplified and cheaper
versions of LCAs. Often, the simplicity is achieved because they are (at
least partly) qualitative. By using qualitative methods or displaying results
only in evaluated form, these tools help the user to perform the same
function as a full LCA without the need for huge amounts of data, etc.
Although these methods can save a substantial amount of time and money,
a certain level of background knowledge is necessary and results are not
as trustworthy as those provided by full LCA. Abridged LCA tools
included are:
• Eco Indicator ’95 is both an LCIA method (see Chapter 3) and a
manual for designers with background information on LCA. It contains
a limited amount of data but allows simple LCA evaluation studies and
helps designers understand the fundamentals of life-cycle thinking.
Contact details: See Goedkoop (1995)
PRé Consultants BV
Tel: +31 33 4555022
Fax: +31 33 4555024
http://www.pre.nl
• MET matrices method is a simple method of assessing and prioritiz-
ing environmental impacts of products or processes. By filling in two
simple 4 × 4 matrices, the main causes of environmental impact can
be determined (a reasonable level of background knowledge is
required).
Contact details: See Brezet and van Hemel (1997)
• AT&T product improvement matrix and target plot is similar to
the MET matrices, but more systematic. The matrix consists of ques-
tions and a scoring system requiring the user to grade certain aspects
of a product or process design. The scoring system produces a target
plot that indicates the areas most suited for improvement.
Contact details: See Graedel (1995)

4. Specialized LCA tools. Specialized LCA tools are basically the same as
normal LCA tools, but the databases are oriented toward a particular
product. The majority is for the packaging sector, but they can be used
and adapted for other products. (Most of them have an interactive database
to which the user can add.) Specialized LCA tools included are:
• ECOPACK 2001-06-22 is the successor of Ecopack 2000, based on
the data sets created by the Swiss EPA, BUWAL. The sets SRU 133
and SRU 250 are based on material production, energy carriers and
transportation, which are all used in packaging industry.
Contact details:
Max Bolliger Consulting
Tel: +41 41 6722477
Fax: +41 41 6722477

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