Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) may be considered one of the best tools for an integrated assessment of the environmental burden of a product. However, conducting a detailed LCA can be expensive and time consuming because of the massive quantity of resources, need and solutions required to methodological problems, as well as difficulties related to data availability. In recent years several researches were carried out to develop simplified or streamlined LCA methods to reduce the scope, cost and efforts required for studies. A new tool, called VerdEE (Verifica dell'Eco-Efficienza - Verification of Eco-Efficiency) and presented on a CD-ROM realised with Macromediaô, was developed for the Italian Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). It is based on the following criteria: - Based on LCA methodology; - Aimed at evaluating the environmental profile of a product and at identifying the improvement opportunities; - Sufficiently simple to be applied in a limited time; - Containing as much quantitative information about materials, processes, waste management, transportation, etc. as possible, to let it accessible by non-expert users. This tool applies a streamlined LCA method with matrix approach adapted for the specific needs of SMEs. The procedure is supported by a large and interconnected informative part about advantages of life cycle approach for SMEs, principles of eco-design, environmental concerns related to human industrial activity and a database with numerical information about environmental impact of substances and processes. In addition, there are several links from the Checklist to achieve all the background information and also the other steps of the methodological part.
VerdEE - A New Tool for the Adoption of Life Cycle Assessment in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Masoni, P.
2000-10-18
Abstract
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) may be considered one of the best tools for an integrated assessment of the environmental burden of a product. However, conducting a detailed LCA can be expensive and time consuming because of the massive quantity of resources, need and solutions required to methodological problems, as well as difficulties related to data availability. In recent years several researches were carried out to develop simplified or streamlined LCA methods to reduce the scope, cost and efforts required for studies. A new tool, called VerdEE (Verifica dell'Eco-Efficienza - Verification of Eco-Efficiency) and presented on a CD-ROM realised with Macromediaô, was developed for the Italian Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). It is based on the following criteria: - Based on LCA methodology; - Aimed at evaluating the environmental profile of a product and at identifying the improvement opportunities; - Sufficiently simple to be applied in a limited time; - Containing as much quantitative information about materials, processes, waste management, transportation, etc. as possible, to let it accessible by non-expert users. This tool applies a streamlined LCA method with matrix approach adapted for the specific needs of SMEs. The procedure is supported by a large and interconnected informative part about advantages of life cycle approach for SMEs, principles of eco-design, environmental concerns related to human industrial activity and a database with numerical information about environmental impact of substances and processes. In addition, there are several links from the Checklist to achieve all the background information and also the other steps of the methodological part.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
