Life Cycle Assessment Guide: Getting Started

According to the EPA, LCA is a technique to assess the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service, by:

• compiling an inventory of relevant energy and material inputs and environmental releases;
• evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with identified inputs and releases;
• interpreting the results to help you make a more informed decision.

 Source: EPA LCA Research

Boroughs, Don. "EXPOSED! The quiet field of life-cycle assessments hits the mainstream, measuring the environmental impact of what we make." ASEE Prism Sept. 2009.