ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Adapting to a sustainable production and consumption system is today not only a virtuous choice but also a great and advantageous opportunity.
The entry into force of the EPR or Extended Producer Responsibility systemregulated at European level by Directive 852/2018 (implemented in Italy in 2020 by Legislative Decree 116) and today relating only to the packaging sector, means that those who produce a good are responsible for its entire life cycle.
This system will be extendable in the future to other sectors and focuses on the importance of specific studies on the life phases of the product from the "cradle to the grave", from its design to its disposal as waste.
The LCA or or Life Cycle Assessment is the tool to define and identify any critical phases during the life cycle of the product, with the aim of improving its overall environmental impact.
WHAT ARE THE KEY POINTS OF THE LCA ANALYSIS PROCEDURE?
1. Definition of the objectives of the study | functional units | System boundaries
2. Data collection and inventory analysis (Life Cycle Inventory –LCI).
3. Impact assessment (Life Cycle Impact Assessment - LCIA).
Using internationally recognised environmental models developed and updated by research institutions, previously collected inventory data are converted into values of environmental indicators (environmental impact or performance)
4. Interpretation and drafting of the LCA report
5. Use of the results (definition of an ecodesign strategy in order to improve the environmental performance of the product, environmental communication, etc.).
The environmental impacts quantified with this scientific methodology are expressed through specific indicators including the contribution to Climate Change (Global Warming Potential), the consumption of mineral, fossil or non-renewable resources, water consumption, emissions of pollutants into soil, water and atmosphere. It can therefore be said that the LCA constitutes the solid certified basis of environmental information that can then flow into the Environmental Product Declarationor or EPD (Environmental Product Declaration), a public document for reporting and communication of environmental performance.
The level of sustainability achieved by a good / product is then made measurable and objectively certified, so as to become a fundamental criterion of competitiveness on which to build its business growth strategy.
A sector strongly affected by the use of LCA and EPD tools is certainly thethe construction industrywhich in recent years is experiencing a growing demand for supplies of sustainable building materials and whose life cycle is documented.
For example, environmental communication through EPD declaration is a rewarding choice for a construction to obtain the certifications sufficient on the international building sustainability protocols.
In Italy, the application of the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAMfor purchases by Public Administrations is a legal obligation defined by the Public Procurement Code and the CAM for construction consider the EPD a suitable tool to demonstrate compliance with environmental requirements.
In addition, more and more Green Public Procurement (GPPlogics are being adopted, which encourage the market to increasethe availability of building materials that can demonstrate the goodness of their life cycle and correctly document environmental performance.
LCA Ambiente supports companies in the Analysis of the Life Cycle of their products (LCA), functional to the drafting of the EPD Environmental Declaration necessary for an efficient communication of the sustainability criteria met.
To find out more, do not hesitate to contact us at info@lca-ambiente.com or info@scfinternational.itwe will be available to answer your questions and support you in achieving your goals!