Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Measuring the life cycle of a product, also known as life cycle assessment (LCA), consists of evaluating the environmental impacts at all the stages of its production, beginning with the raw materials and ending with its disposal. For example, the life cycle of orange juice would include the impacts of all the energy, water, and materials used to grow the oranges and trees, harvest the fruit, process the juice, and package, transport, refrigerate, and dispose of the product.
Many companies are electing to perform an LCA in an effort to spur innovation, promote a more sustainable supply chain, and bring a new level of transparency to consumers.  Additionally, some companies are finding it necessary to perform an LCA in order to comply with US EPA Emissions Reporting rules, SEC Climate Change disclosure requirements and various Supplier Sustainability Assessments.

Whatever the reason may be, we know that there are a wide variety of strategies available to improve operations, create competitive advantages, improve client and employee loyalty or establish new risk management protocols.  Companies that take the initiative to be proactive, engage in sustainability planning, re-evaluate their practices, and adapt will ultimately come out on top and improve profitability.