Page 122 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

5

Sourcing Life Cycle Inventory Data

Mary Ann Curran*

US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Abstract
The collection and validation of quality life cycle inventory (LCI) data can be the most
difficult and time-consuming aspect of developing a life cycle assessment (LCA). Large
amounts of process and production data are needed to complete the LCI. For many
studies, the LCA analyst at some point will need to collect process data from original
sources. In these instances, the increasing sophistication expected of LCA studies has
tended to make the task of data collection more demanding, rather than less, as the
scrutiny placed on published LCA results has grown. As a result, a growing number
of public databases of LCI data are becoming available to provide data for the more
common commodity processes and services.
This chapter discusses historical and current practices in sourcing LCI data (other
than using the data that come with commercial off the shelf (COTS) LCA tools). Data
can be acquired by utilizing dedicated LCI databases, non-LCI databases, publica-
tions, and sources, as well as by implementing estimation techniques that use eco-
nomic input/output tables to generate LCI data where field measurements cannot be
easily made. Finally, the chapter discusses emerging approaches for reporting process
inventory data, including manufacturer self-reporting, using open-source models for
data collection and annotation, and "crowdsourcing" of LCI data.

Keywords: Life cycle assessment, life cycle inventory, data, database, input-output

5.1 Introduction

As with any assessment tool, data is the driving force behind Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA). Large amounts of process and production data are needed
to complete the life cycle inventory (LCI). Raw material inputs, energy use,
ratio of main product to co-products, production rates, and environmental
releases must all be quantified for each process in the system.
There are many ways to generate LCI data. Perhaps the easiest, but most
costly way, is using a commercial off the shelf (COTS) software tool, such as

* The views expressed in this chapter are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or
policies of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Mary Ann Curran (ed.) Life Cycle Assessment Handbook: A Guide for Environmentally
Sustainable Products, (105-142) © 2012 Scrivener Publishing LLC
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