This diagram covers LCA Case Studies and Comparisons within Life Cycle Assessment for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Life Cycle Assessment in Using Resources for GCSE Chemistry with 22 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 7 of 17 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

LCA Case Studies and Comparisons

Plastic Bags vs Paper Bags vs Cotton Tote Bags

Paper bags: Higher energy to produce, more water pollution, heavier transport emissions, but biodegradable
Plastic bags: Lower production energy but persist for centuries, contribute to marine pollution
Cotton tote bags: Very high production impact, must be used 130+ times to offset plastic bag impact
Conclusion: Context matters - consider reuse potential and disposal methods

Electric vs Petrol Cars

Electric cars: Higher manufacturing impact (battery production), but lower use phase emissions
Petrol cars: Lower manufacturing impact, but much higher lifetime emissions from fuel
Key factor: Electricity source (renewable vs fossil fuel grid)
Break-even point: ~30,000-50,000 miles depending on electricity source

Smartphone LCA

Manufacturing stage: 85% of total environmental impact
Rare earth mining: Major biodiversity and water pollution impacts
Use phase: Relatively low impact (charging energy)
E-waste: Growing problem with toxic materials and low recycling rates

Quick recall flashcards

What are the four main stages of an LCA?

1. Raw material extraction 2. Manufacturing/Production 3. Use phase 4. End of life/Disposal

What does LCA stand for and what is its purpose?

Life Cycle Assessment - a method to evaluate the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life from raw materials to disposal ('cradle to grave')

LCA Case Studies and Comparisons