Page 168 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

Accelerating life cycle assessment uptake: life cycle management and ‘quick’ LCA tools

Figure 11.7 Screen shot of a Greenfly Online manufacturing page. 155

instantly at any time, from the following four: global warming, water use, energy use and solid
waste. A bar chart is located immediately below the pie chart, and this compares impacts
within the life cycle phase the user is considering. Both graphics refresh instantly each time a
page is changed, a value is entered or a selection is made.
Enrichment of the data entry and calculations process is provided in several ways. The
designer is presented with a range of design guidelines and prompt questions to be considered
as they select materials and work through the life cycle stages (Fig. 11.8). Those fields that are
completed are collated and appear in automatically generated reports. Guidelines that address
eco-design considerations are also included, both as quick tips and as links to a catalogue of
downloadable resources in portable document format (PDF).
A range of resources is available as downloadable PDF files – easily accessible for the user
and also for uploading updates (Fig. 11.9).
The Greenfly Online structure also allows for the development of a set of modules for dif-
ferent design sectors. For example, a survey of drivers in relevant sectors revealed that com-
mercial furniture is a suitable sector to develop a specific Greenfly Online module given the
following factors:
s standards, regulations and green buildings tools such as the Green Building Council of
Australia’s Greenstar Interiors tool are driving rapid development in ‘green’ specification
of office interiors products
s purchasers, occupiers, facilities managers and specifiers associated with the acquisition
and use of commercial furniture are becoming rapidly sensitised to the benefits of
low-impact interiors and furniture products
s designers and manufacturers of office furniture are seeking ways to undertake quick
LCA and meet and exceed the requirements of standards.

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