Evolving Concepts in Life Cycle Analyses

Abstract

Many environmental professionals, policy scientists, and government representatives are widely familiar with the concept of life cycle analysis (LCA). Most individuals know of the existence of the basic LCA concept of cradle-to-grave concerns and appreciate some of the common applications (such as paper versus plastic, aluminum versus tin versus plastic, etc). To some extent the history of life cycle analysis, stretching over thirty years in Europe and twenty five years in the U.S., gives it a mature characteristic as an environmental technique.