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STREAMLINED LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT: A FINAL REPORT FROM THE SETAC-NORTH AMERICA STREAMLINED LCA WORKGROUP
Citation:
Todd, J. A. AND M A. Curran*. STREAMLINED LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT: A FINAL REPORT FROM THE SETAC-NORTH AMERICA STREAMLINED LCA WORKGROUP. 1999 Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL, 6/99, 31 p.
Description:
The original goal of the Streamlined LCA workgroup was to define and document a process for a shortened form of LCA. At the time, because of the large amount of data needed to do a cradle-to-grave evaluation, it was believed that in addition to such a "full" LCA approach there was also a way to conduct a simplied process called "Streamlined LCA." It was recognized by the workgroup that strealining is an inherent part of any LCA. The key is to link the streamlining activities closely with the goal and scope definition process. That is, strealining is a routine element of defining the boundaries and data needs of a study and is not in itself a different approach or methodology for LCA.
Further, the workgroup acknowledged that often the goal for conducting an LCA is not given much thought or careful attention by the person conduting the study or by the requestor of the study. While the parties involved may have a general idea of what is wanted, the reason for the LCA is not explicitly stated, leaving it open for the results to be used or interpreted in a manner that was not originally intended. Because all LCAs are streamlined to varying degrees, this document is more a description of carefully planning and stating an LCA's goal than it is about Streamlined LCA methodology.
This report concludes the efforts of the Streamlined LCA workgroup. The issue of streamlining LCA has evolved into other aspects of methodology development. It is hoped that the thoughts contained here will contribute toward the development of other frameworks by using the life-cycle concept.