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Ready for some more information on LCA?
The LCA methodology is fundamentally based on very simple premises – materials and processes generate #EnvironmentalImpacts and depending on the quantity of our inputs, the environmental impacts are multiplied accordingly. Say, if production 🏭 of 1 kg of glass generates 1.25 kgCO2eq 💨, this emission factor can be applied to a desired quantity of glass included in our product or project. However, things get complicated both due to the sheer volume of materials and processes used in the industry and the extensive array of environmental impacts that need to be considered ⚖️. Since many of these impacts are displaced in terms of place and time and thus expressed as potential or projected impacts, they often cannot be measured directly or efficiently. Additionally, we also want life cycle assessments to be as streamlined as possible to enable quick quantification of environmental impacts, which means that certain approximations need to be made. 🗝️ This is where the life cycle inventory databases come into play. When raw primary data of the environmental footprint of activities is unavailable, databases such as EcoInvent, GaBi, PEF, NMD, ÖKOBAUDAT and other are used. They contain scientific datapoints on energy requirements, material inputs, waste outputs and emissions generated of many conventional processes.
So, you want to do a life cycle assessment – what now?
Maybe you have already figured out what an #LCA is, maybe you know the required scope of your analysis, or maybe you have even started collecting data needed for the modeling. ❓But what about the right choice of LCA software❓ Many kinds of software tools available on the market can organize, streamline, quantify, visualize, and sometimes even automate the assessment of environmental impacts associated with your product, service, building project, and so on. If you are a company in need of LCA documentation and have limited in-house expertise, you can outsource the whole task to LCA experts who will quickly determine which tool is the best for the purpose and usually also have access to it. However, some companies prefer to buy their own software license to facilitate engagement with sustainability compliance and have greater insight and flexibility when performing LCAs. Currently, six of the most widely used LCA software tools are SimaPro,Sphera (previously GaBi), One Click LCA , openLCA, Ecochain Technologies Mobius, and Umberto iPoint-systems gmbh, though you can explore more options through LCA Software.org. 🧑💻👩💻 ❓What is the difference between these tools❓ LCA tools are tailored to different purposes and require varying levels of expertise in LCA. Of course, they are also priced differently. For example, OpenLCA is free to use, though some databases that
Are you developing a new product and need an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)?
Previous Next An EPD describes the product’s environmental impact in a transparent and comparable manner and is based on life cycle assessment (LCA). Depending on what the product is, product category rules (PCR) define what needs to be included in the declaration. For example, an EPD for construction products needs to include 19 different environmental impact categories across the product’s production, manufacturing and end of life stages (or more!), which helps companies identify potential environmental issues along the value chain and encourages them to implement more circular designs for improved environmental performance. Generally, creating an EPD requires the following stages: product scoping, data collection, LCA modelling, results interpretation and writing of the report, EPD verification and finally, publishing 🏁. An EPD needs to be verified by an independent third party and then published through a program operator, such as EPD International, IBU, PEP Ecopassport, Programme INIES, EPD Norge etc. An EPD’s validity is usually for five years. Altogether, this gives you a trustworthy assessment of your product’s environmental impacts and helps demonstrate your sustainability efforts to your customers. And the best part? As EPD International AB registered LCA consultants we can guide you through the process and help you create an EPD
GWP, do you know what it stands for?
Have you developed a new #product or #material and need to show how sustainable it is? Maybe a potential custumer is asking you to get the GWP of your product? Whatever the case, the GWP of your product can open many doors for you in the #new green economy. Here is what it is and how you get one. 👉 Global Warming Potential (GWP) is one of the many environmental impact indicators📋 you can choose from when doing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure the environmental impact of your products! 🌱 GWP is an indicator used to communicate the product’s potential contribution to climate change. More specifically, it describes the generated amount of greenhouse gas emissions across a product’s life cycle. It is expressed as kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kgCO2e), which means that the global warming potential of greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide (methane, nitrous oxides, hydrofluorocarbons and so on) is ‘translated’ into a singular score. This makes it easy to report and a popular parameter to communicate with your audience. 📢 For instance, if #mitigatingclimatechange is one of the focal points of your company and its products, then the GWP metric can help you showcase its climate-friendliness and provide a point of comparison with alternative products. But that’s just the tip
All you need to know about LCA & EPD
Are you overwhelmed with all the sustainability regulations? At Xylo Sweden AB we believe Sustainability Compliance shouldn’t be so complicated. We are here to guide you… Let´s start with LCA.You have probably heard of LCA before – it is one of the pillars of sustainability reporting. However, we know it can be complicated figuring out how to carry it out, what data are needed and what are the advantages of doing it. We are here to help! 🐝 Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool for assessing the product’s environmental impacts across its lifespan. 🐛→🦋 The popular terms of ‘cradle to gate’, ‘cradle to grave’ and ‘cradle to cradle’ refer to how many life stages are included in an LCA. These are divided into product (A1-A3), construction (A3-A5), use (B1-7) and end of life stage (C1-4). Additionally, module D covers the resource recovery, recycling and reuse potential of materials, which we at Xylo Sweden feel especially passionate about. ♻️ Impacts that are measured with an LCA cover a broad range of environmental issues, such as climate change, acidification, eutrophication, ozone depletion, depletion of abiotic resources etc. As such, an LCA is highly customizable and depending on its purpose, clients can tailor it
“We are all in this together” – How Xylo Sweden is using collaboration to revolutionise the way that we see waste – Interview with Paula Picardo
The interview goes on to discuss Paula’s experiences and challenges in the sustainability field, her approach to promoting circular economy practices, and the positive impact her company, Xylo Sweden, is making.
SMEs and Sustainability Reporting
Q1: Do SMEs need Sustainability Reporting? Sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important for all organizations, includingSMEs, as stakeholders demand more transparency and accountability in the way businessesoperate and impact the environment and society. However, the number of SMEs (Small andMedium-sized Enterprises) that need sustainability reporting varies depending on variousfactors, such as the industry, size, location, and stakeholder expectations. According to a report by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the number of SMEs reportingon sustainability has increased in recent years, with SMEs accounting for 70% of all GRIreporters in 2019. This suggests that an increasing number of SMEs recognize theimportance of sustainability reporting and are taking steps to report on their sustainabilityperformance. Moreover, various stakeholders, including customers, investors, and regulators, arebeginning to demand sustainability reporting from SMEs as they become more aware of thesocial and environmental impact of businesses. For example, some investors and financialinstitutions are starting to require sustainability reporting from their investee companies aspart of their risk assessment and due diligence processes. Therefore, while the exact number of SMEs that need sustainability reporting may bedifficult to determine, it is becoming increasingly important for SMEs to report on theirsustainability performance to remain competitive, gain stakeholder trust, and contribute toa more
Fight against deforestation
We need to fight deforestation and the rapid destruction of some of the world’s most precious ecosystems Deforestation causes dramatic emission, about 4.8 billion tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) a year. In 2021, 3.75 million hectares of tropical primary rainforests were lost, resulting in 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon carbon dioxide emissions. Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, and play a crucial role in regulating water cycles. But, we are losing around 10 million hectares of trees every year. By the year 2030, the planet might have only 10% of its forests. If deforestation isn’t stopped, they could all be gone in less than 100 years. Deforestation not only directly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, but also is closely interconnected with biodiversity loss. Let’s look at how deforestation and biodiversity loss is related. Habitat Destruction: Forests are home to a vast array of plant and animal species. When forests are cleared, their habitats are destroyed, leading to the displacement and loss of many species. Forest ecosystems provide diverse niches and resources that support a wide range of organisms, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and plants. When these habitats are lost, the species dependent
Fashion industry
Fashion industry alone comprises 10% of total global carbon emissions Fashion industry alone comprises 10% of total global carbon emissions. Total greenhouse gas emissions from textiles production, at 1.2 billion tonnes annually, are more than both the aviation and shipping sectors combined. By some estimates, sector emissions are expected to rise by more than 60 percent by 2030. According to the Quantis International 2018 report of Apparel Life Cycle Stages, dyeing and finishing (36%), yarn preparation (28%) and fibre production (15%) are the three main drivers of the industry’s global pollution impacts. Cellulose fiber production consumes 120 million trees per year, and ancient and endangered forests in Brazil, Indonesia and North America have been damaged by logging for the cellulose fiber, according to Canopy. Fashion also produces nearly 20% of global wastewater, or around 93 billion cubic metres from textile dyeing, according to the UN Environment Programme. The world at least generated an estimated 92 milllion tonnes of textiles waste every year and that number is expected to soar up to 134 million tonnes a year by 2030. “By 2030, an additional 115 million hectares of rainforest will be cut down for fashion fibers production” – Global Forest Watch – The fashion
Wood waste in Sweden
Today, about 2 million tons of wood waste is generated per year in Sweden Globally, nearly 30–40% of total solid waste are from construction and demolition waste. Wood waste is the second largest fraction after concrete and contributes 20–30% of the total construction and demolition waste. It is estimated that around 10–15% of the timber used in new construction goes to the waste stream. Wood resources are utilized in various industries due to their versatility, durability, and natural aesthetic appeal. Here are some examples of how wood resources are used in different industries: Construction and Building Furniture and Cabinetry Packaging and Pallets Paper and Pulp Woodworking and Crafts Flooring and Interior Design Energy Production Outdoor and Landscape These examples demonstrate the diverse applications of wood resources across various industries. Sustainable forest management and responsible sourcing practices are crucial to ensure the long-term availability of wood resources and minimize environmental impact. However, wood waste is a significant environmental concern. Here are numbers about wood waste from construction and demolition: Construction and demolition wood waste USA EU Germany HONG KONG USA Approximately 56 million tons of wood waste was produced in 2020. EU All 28 EU countries produced around 50 million tons of