Reducing environmental

impacts

What decisions do you make that have an impact

on the environment?

What makes one product more “environmentally friendly” than another?

What makes one product more “environmentally friendly” than another?

What makes one product more “environmentally friendly” than another?

• Ultra concentrated• Non-toxic• Hypo-allergenic• Biodegradable• No dyes• No phosphates• Safe for septic and

greywater systems• No petroleum based

cleaners• No optical brighteners• Stain-removing enzymes• Not tested on animals• Kosher certified• Natural Citrus fragrance

What makes one product more “environmentally friendly” than another?

What makes one product more “environmentally friendly” than another?

What makes one product more “environmentally friendly” than another?

Do we believe manufacturer’s claims?

Do we believe manufacturer’s claims?

“At Exxon Mobil, we’ve beenhelping to reduce fuel emissions for

more than 30 years. In fact, since 1990, our refineries

have become 10% more energy efficient.”

Do we believe manufacturer’s claims?

“…our lawn carepesticide is essentially

non-toxic."

“At Exxon Mobil, we’ve beenhelping to reduce fuel emissions for

more than 30 years. In fact, since 1990, our refineries

have become 10% more energy efficient.”

Do we believe manufacturer’s claims?

“My husband confusedme with our daughter.This anti-aging miracle

cream works wonders.”

“…our lawn carepesticide is essentially

non-toxic."

“At Exxon Mobil, we’ve beenhelping to reduce fuel emissions for

more than 30 years. In fact, since 1990, our refineries

have become 10% more energy efficient.”

Do we believe manufacturer’s claims?

“the plastic diaper liner with the most recycled

content."

“My husband confusedme with our daughter.This anti-aging miracle

cream works wonders.”

“…our lawn carepesticide is essentially

non-toxic."

“At Exxon Mobil, we’ve beenhelping to reduce fuel emissions for

more than 30 years. In fact, since 1990, our refineries

have become 10% more energy efficient.”

“We believe that the products we make are not

injurious to health”

“We believe that the products we make are not injurious to

health”

Tobacco Industry

Research Committee

So how do we make the best use of our resources

to protect the environment?

Life cycle assessment is a tool to improve decision-making

Cream, Sugar and… Bauxite?

1 Cup of Coffee

Cream, Sugar and… Bauxite?

1 Cup of Coffee

Mug & Spoon

Cream

Sugar

Coffee

Cream, Sugar and… Bauxite?

1 Cup of Coffee

Mug & Spoon

Cream

Sugar

Coffee

Coffee Beans

Filter

Water

Coffee Maker

Energy

Coffee Grinder

Cream, Sugar and… Bauxite?

1 Cup of Coffee

Mug & Spoon

Cream

Sugar

Coffee

Coffee Beans

Filter

Water

Coffee Maker

Electricity

Coffee Grinder

Water

Labor

Fertilizer/Pesticide

Packaging

Shipping

Tools

Cream, Sugar and… Bauxite?

Mug & Spoon

Cream

Sugar

Coffee

Coffee Beans

Filter

Water

Coffee Maker

Electricity

Coffee Grinder

Water

Labor

Fertilizer/Pesticide

Packaging

Shipping

Tools

Roads

Rails

Ports

Trains

Trucks

Ships

Cream, Sugar and… Bauxite?

Coffee Beans

Filter

Water

Coffee Maker

Electricity

Coffee Grinder

Water

Labor

Fertilizer/Pesticide

Packaging

Shipping

Tools

Roads

Rails

Ports

Trains

Trucks

Ships

Steel

Aluminum

Plastic

Rubber

Fuel

Microprocessors

Cream, Sugar and… Bauxite?

Water

Labor

Fertilizer/Pesticide

Packaging

Shipping

Tools

Roads

Rails

Ports

Trains

Trucks

Ships

Steel

Aluminum

Plastic

Rubber

Fuel

Microprocessors

Bauxite

Water

Electricity

Factory

Cream, Sugar and… Bauxite?

1 Cup of Coffee Coffee Coffee Beans

Shipping

TrucksAluminumBauxite

Didn’t Consider:– The four other simple components– The thousands of other un-followed branches– The specific impacts of each component

Life Cycle Activity

Use what you know to create a simple process map for your beverage container

Ignore soda itself

• Use what you know to create a simple process map for your beverage container

• Ignore soda itself

• Think about:– Emissions to:

• Air• Water• Land

– Greenhouse gases– Materials used– Where energy is used– Chemical reactions– Recycled material

use

Life Cycle Activity