10.2. - Life Cycle Asessment & Recycling

Describe the stages of LCAs.

Carries out to assess the environmental impact of products in each of these stages:

• Extracting and processing raw materials.

• Manufacturing and packaging.

• Use and operation during its lifetime.

• Disposal at the end of its useful life, including transport and distribution at each stage.

How do we reduce the use of resources?

The reduction in use, reuse, and recycling of materials by end users reduces the use of limited resources, energy consumption, waste and environmental impacts.

What are the advantages of recycling?

• Less acid rain (pollution) so metal ore reserves last longer.

• Conserved energy for extraction saved less mining.

• Quarrying less waste less landfill creates local employment.

What are the disadvantages of recycling?

• Collection problems + transport problems.

• Cost of transport difficult to separate metal from appliances/sort