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2020
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sustainability & 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