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DEVELOPING A TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING
Citation:
Curran*, M A. DEVELOPING A TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING. Filho, W.L. (ed.), ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH. MCB University Press, 12(3):244-253, (2001).
Description:
LCA-based guidance was developed by EPA under the Framework for Responsible Environmental Decision Making (FRED) effort to demonstrate how to conduct a relative comparison between product types to determine environmental preferability. It identifies data collection needs and issues; and describes how to calculate numeric impact indicators for a given product or service across eight human health and enviornmental impact categories that were selected specifically to meet the goal of the effort: Global Climate Change, Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, Acidification, Photochemical Smog Formation, Eutrophication, Human Health, Ecological Health, and Resouce Depletion.
Case studies were conducted on motor oil, wall insulation, and asphalt coating. It was concluded that the FRED LCA approach can be performed in a much shorted time period than is typical for a more detailed LCA. This more practical duration for procurement decisions is achieved through the focusing of data collection and a simplified impact assessment procedure.