Brasil Pack Trends 2020

BrasilPackTrends2020 186 sustainabi l ity & ethics These phases are very interactive and are reviewed during the project execution, so that the study can answer the initial goals, since, during its execution, the influence of each step in the life cycle of the product evaluated, becomes more clear. Once assumptions and modeling structure may influence the final results, transparency of the methodology employed is an important factor to evaluate the quality of these studies (ISO, 2006a) and subsequent implementation of the conclusions and findings. The LCA tool itself is very complex and requires considerable time for completion. For this reason, partial LCA studies for identification of opportunities for improvement, including all or almost all of the life cycle phases, have grown in the recent years and they are called studies based on “life cycle thinking”. These studies, although cannot be classified as a “life cycle assessment study”, have been very useful for understanding the environmental interfaces of products and have leaded the development of products with lower environmental impacts. Thus, with the greater maturity of environmental issues, this new more holistic view, the “Life Cycle Thinking” has been used in the packaging context. This approach can be translated as “a continuous movement of rethinking the packaging”, considering since the time when natural resources are extracted from nature for its production up to the final destinations of residues and emissions originated from this process. Figure 7.5 illustrates how the Life Cycle Thinking can be used for system optimization. Through those questions, performed at every phase of the product life cycle, the Life Cycle Thinking is done. The registering, however, of the obtained reductions, must follow the LCA methodology strictly, so the registered reductions are effectively proved on internationally recognized scientific basis. Through these questions, performed at all stages of the life cycle of products, the “Life Cycle Thinking” is practiced. Accounting, however, must follow the rigor the LCA methodology to ensure that the reductions measured are effectively achieved according to a scientific basis of international recognizing. FIGURE 7.5 Schematic representation of the Life Cycle Thinking 7.3 PRODUCT/PACKAGE SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION THROUGH THE LIFE CYCLE THINKING APPROACH Life Cycle Thinking