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Making use of life cycle assessment and environmental product declarations: A survey with practitioners

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  • Bruno Menezes Galindro
  • Sebastian Welling
  • Niki Bey
  • Stig Irving Olsen
  • Sebastião Roberto Soares
  • Sven‐Olof Ryding

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) represent important sources of information in applications such as ecodesign and process optimization. However, their use in comparisons and communication is still limited. Therefore, this article aims to understand the use of LCA‐ and EPD‐information from the perspective of the practitioners, that is, professionals with experience in dealing with this type of information. A survey was built consisting of two questionnaires and two webinars, with questions related to core themes: frequency and purpose of use, comparability, and advantages and disadvantages for practical use and reliability of different presentation formats. Also, two suggested benchmarking frameworks were presented and discussed, later being commented upon and evaluated. Out of the 55 respondents, 76% stated that they use both LCA‐ and EPD‐information, primarily to fulfill requirements from customers, in environmental management systems and for marketing purposes. It was also stated that they use LCA (73%)‐ and EPD (56%)‐information to make comparisons but presented different responses and there were no established patterns as to the procedures. Methodological limitations and the need for harmonization of Product Category Rules (PCRs) were mentioned as limiting factors for comparisons between studies. Regarding the benchmarking frameworks, both were indicated to be potentially applicable in communication with consumers and between companies. It is concluded that LCA‐ and EPD‐information is used by the practitioners in different applications and that there may be a need to increase standardization efforts of benchmarking procedures in order to improve communication with nonspecialist audiences.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Menezes Galindro & Sebastian Welling & Niki Bey & Stig Irving Olsen & Sebastião Roberto Soares & Sven‐Olof Ryding, 2020. "Making use of life cycle assessment and environmental product declarations: A survey with practitioners," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(5), pages 965-975, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:24:y:2020:i:5:p:965-975
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elena Bernardi & Salvatore Carlucci & Cristina Cornaro & Rolf André Bohne, 2017. "An Analysis of the Most Adopted Rating Systems for Assessing the Environmental Impact of Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-27, July.
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    1. Edyta Baran & Sebastian Czernik & Mariusz Hynowski & Bartosz Michałowski & Michał Piasecki & Justyna Tomaszewska & Jacek Michalak, 2021. "Quantifying Environmental Burdens of Plasters Based on Natural vs. Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Gypsum," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Jacek Michalak, 2021. "External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) from Industry and Academia Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Jacek Michalak & Bartosz Michałowski, 2022. "Understanding Sustainability of Construction Products: Answers from Investors, Contractors, and Sellers of Building Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Viktoria Mannheim & Weronika Kruszelnicka, 2022. "Energy-Model and Life Cycle-Model for Grinding Processes of Limestone Products," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, May.
    5. Jacek Michalak & Bartosz Michałowski, 2021. "Understanding of Construction Product Assessment Issues and Sustainability among Investors, Architects, Contractors, and Sellers of Construction Products in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Alessandra Bonoli & Sara Zanni & Francisco Serrano-Bernardo, 2021. "Sustainability in Building and Construction within the Framework of Circular Cities and European New Green Deal. The Contribution of Concrete Recycling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, February.
    7. Sebastian Czernik & Marta Marcinek & Bartosz Michałowski & Michał Piasecki & Justyna Tomaszewska & Jacek Michalak, 2020. "Environmental Footprint of Cementitious Adhesives—Components of ETICS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, October.

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