2. Define possible functional units (9 points)

Soft drink containers

Light bulbs

Wall paper

Newspapers

People transportation

Goods transportation

Clothes washing

Shoes

Bread

Life Cycle Inventory Analysis Construct a detailed flowchart of the system Based on goal and scope definition Iterative! Collect data for all activities in the system Determine what is necessary Document methods and results Quantitative and qualitative Calculate environmental loads Resources and pollutants Relate to functional unit

Flow Chart Construction Begin with basic flow chart used to assist goal and scope definition Define flows and loops Determine processes in and outside of the system studied Determine sources of information Adjust/revise flowchart and boundaries as needed

Data Collection Most time-consuming aspect of LCA Difficulty in finding sources Difficulty in collecting data Data is quantitative and qualitative Numerical: inputs and outputs of activities Raw materials and energy Other inputs (e.g., land) Products, by-products, co-products Transportation: distances, routes, types Emissions: land, air, water Descriptive: information Description of processes and technologies When, where, how about data collected