Life cycle thinking: application to product design

The life-cycle assessment (LCA) concept, methodology, and applications are reviewed. Examples illustrating its application to product design and evaluation are presented. It is concluded that LCA has a valuable role to play in improving the understanding of and reducing the environmental burdens associated with products, processes, and activities from design and development through ultimate disposition. While it may be a few more years before the LCA methodology is widely and universally accepted, the concept of life-cycling thinking is here today and has applications to business and organizations as an alternative way of addressing environmental problems. It gives a new paradigm for building future efforts to prevent pollution and sustain resources for the future.<>