10.2 Life cycle assessment and recycling

Question 1

Describe the stages of LCAs

Answer 1

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are carried out to assess the environmental
impact of products in each of these stages:

● Extracting and processing raw materials

● Manufacturing and packaging

● Use and operation during its lifetime

● Disposal at the end of its useful life, including transport and distribution at
each stage.

Question 2

How do we reduce the use of resources?

Answer 2

The reduction in use, reuse and recycling of materials by end users reduces the
use of limited resources, energy consumption, waste and environmental impacts.

Question 3

What are the advantages of recycling?

Answer 3

Advantages:
● Less acid rain (pollution)

● Metal ore
reserves last longer

● Conserved energy for extraction saved

● Less mining/ quarrying

● Less waste & landfills

● Creates local employment

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of recycling?

Answer 4

Disadvantages:
● Collection problems

● Transport problems/ cost of
transport

● Difficult to separate metal from appliances