“ sources of variation in life cycle assessment of desktop computers ”
DESCRIPTION
“ Sources of Variation in Life Cycle Assessment of Desktop Computers ”. Teehan P., Kandlikar M., Journal of Industrial Ecology, Vol 16, S1, 2012 (Reviewed by: Aisling Silke.). Purpose of Paper. This paper reviews and critiques the current method of Life Cycle Assessment ( LCA’s ). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
“SOURCES OF VARIATION IN LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF DESKTOP COMPUTERS”
Teehan P., Kandlikar M., Journal of Industrial Ecology, Vol 16, S1, 2012
(Reviewed by: Aisling Silke.)
PURPOSE OF PAPER
This paper reviews and critiques the current method of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA’s).
Based on previous LCA’s of components of Desktop PC’s.
Recommends a more effective method of assessment.
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA)
This is an assessment of the energy and material consumption levels of a product for the entire life of the product and beyond.
Begins with examining the methods for sourcing the raw material(s) used.
Continues to examine the manufacturing process of the product.
Analyses the impacts of the product while it is in use/ in working condition (Use-Phase)
Concludes with the events after the product is no longer in use and is disposed of/ recycled/ refurbished for further use.
MAIN FINDINGS OF THE PAPER
It is difficult to conduct an LCA for PC’s due to the numerous components that a PC consists of.
Each component should be investigated individually for a more accurate assessment.
This paper focuses on information from previous studies of the Life Cycles of the central control units of PC’s.
MAIN FINDINGS CONTINUED
The ‘use-phase’ of a product is the easiest phase to measure as it is assessed based on the energy consumption of the product throughout the ‘working life’ of the product/ component.
LCA results may vary or be skewed for many reasons.
REASONS FOR VARIATION
Lack of data available for poorer regions (eg South East Asia) as their ‘informal recycling’ is not included in Life Cycle Assessments .
But there is evidence of environmental contamination in these regions.
Location in which the product is used also impacts the LCA results
Case Study: China (Coal) v’s Norway (Hydropower)
Product in China has 30 times the global warming impact than in Norway.
CONCLUSIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS
Life Cycle Assessments should be conducted on individual components and not completed products.
LCA’s should include the Use-Phase locations as this will yield more accurate results.
The extent of usage of the product should be included in the assessment also (eg Office PC v’s Domestic PC)