The presentation takes a look at how Life Cycle Assessment can be used in product selection in the building and interior design industries.

2. HIDDEN COSTS:
Product Selection with Life
Cycle Assessment in Mind
June 15, 2011

3. Allison Beer McKenzie, AIA, LEED AP
Associate
Architect
Director of Sustainability
Carrie Malatesta, IIDA, LEED AP
Associate
Senior Interior Designer
Introductions
3

4. Learning Objectives
• Distinguish between LCA and LCCA
• Appraise the tools and techniques available
for LCA/LCCA
• Explore product certifications that use LCA/LCCA
• Assess current examples of LCA/LCCA in the
interior design industry
• Apply LCA/LCCA to our own product selection
processes
4

5. 1.0
LCCA and LCA Defined
5

6. Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA):
An assessment of the total cost of owning a product
over its lifetime.
1.0
6

7. Purchase
Installation
LCCA Cycle
1.0
7

8. Purchase
Installation
Operations
Maintenance
Repair
LCCA Cycle
1.0
8

9. Purchase
Installation
Disposal Operations
Maintenance
Repair
LCCA Cycle
1.0
9

10. Life Cycle Assessment or Analysis (LCA):
An assessment of the environmental impacts
associated with all stages of a product’s life and
death (or rebirth)
1.0
10

11. Extraction
Harvest
LCA Cycle
1.0
11

12. Extraction
Harvest
Manufacturing
Transportation
Installation
LCA Cycle
1.0
12

13. Extraction
Harvest
Manufacturing
Transportation
Installation
Operations
Maintenance
LCA Cycle
1.0
13

14. Extraction
Harvest
Disposal
Reuse
Recycling
Manufacturing
Transportation
Installation
Operations
Maintenance
LCA Cycle
1.0
14

15. LCA Considerations:
• Fossil Fuel Depletion
• Toxin Release
• Non-Renewable Resources
• Ozone Depletion/Creation
• Water Use
• Nutrification/Eutrofication
• Acidification
• Embodied Energy
1.0
15

16. Cradle to Gate
Cradle to Death
Or
Cradle to Cradle
LCA Cycle
1.0
16

17. 2.0
LCA Tools and Techniques
17

18. ISO 14040 Series Standards:
• Set standards and criteria for creating reliable
Life Cycle Assessments
• Aim to establish usable metrics
2.0
18

19. ISO 14020 Series Standards:
• Many environmental product certifications
use the guidelines established in the
ISO 14020 series
• These standards set the criteria for environmental
labels and declarations
2.0
19

20. ISO 14020 Series Standards:
Type 1: multi-attribute label developed by a third party
2.0
20

21. ISO 14020 Series Standards:
Type 1: multi-attribute label developed by a third party
Type 2: single-attribute label developed by the producer
2.0
21

22. ISO 14020 Series Standards:
Type 1: multi-attribute label developed by a third party
Type 2: single-attribute label developed by the producer
Type 3: eco-label based on a full lifecycle assessment
2.0
22

23. ISO 14020 Series Standards:
Type 3 Labels:
• Contain quantified data on the life cycle of the product
• Enable comparisons between similar products
• Are developed using predetermined parameters
• Are subject to the administration of the program
administrator
2.0
23

24. • Uses the LCA approach
specified in ISO 14040 to
address environmental
performance which
addresses all stages of
product life
ws680.nist.gov/Bees/
BEES
(Building for Environmental and Economic Stability)
2.0
24

25. • Uses the LCA approach
specified in ISO 14040 to
address environmental
performance which
addresses all stages of
product life
• Allows you to select
numerous products from
within a category to
compare.
ws680.nist.gov/Bees/
BEES
(Building for Environmental and Economic Stability)
2.0
25

26. • Uses the LCA approach
specified in ISO 14040 to
address environmental
performance which
addresses all stages of
product life
• Allows you to select
numerous products from
within a category to
compare.
• Allows you to assign
different weights to the
environmental factors that ws680.nist.gov/Bees/
are being analyzed.
BEES
(Building for Environmental and Economic Stability)
2.0
26

27. Acidification
Criteria Air Pollutants
Ecotoxicity
Eutrophication
Fossil Fuel Depletion
Global Warming
Habitat Alteration
Human Toxicity- Cancer
Human Toxicity-
Noncancer
Indoor Air Quality
Ozone Depletion
Smog
Water Intake
ws680.nist.gov/Bees/
BEES
(Building for Environmental and Economic Stability)
2.0
27

28. • Each of the 14 factors can
be examined individually
to see the impact of each
life phase
ws680.nist.gov/Bees/
BEES
(Building for Environmental and Economic Stability)
2.0
28

29. • Uses the ASTM standard
LCCA method to assess
economic performance
which covers initial cost,
replacement, operation,
maintenance and repair,
and disposal.
ws680.nist.gov/Bees/
BEES
(Building for Environmental and Economic Stability)
2.0
29

30. • Uses the LCA approach
specified in ISO 14040 to
address environmental
performance.
www.bre.co.uk/greenguide/
BRE Green Guide to Specification
2.0
30

31. • Uses the LCA approach
specified in ISO 14040 to
address environmental
performance.
• Product ratings are available
based on building type such
as commercial, educational or
domestic and then by
component or category, such
as floor finishes.
www.bre.co.uk/greenguide/
BRE Green Guide to Specification
2.0
31

32. • Uses the LCA approach
specified in ISO 14040 to
address environmental
performance.
• Product ratings are available
based on building type such
as commercial, educational or
domestic and then by
component or category, such
as floor finishes.
• The guide grades each of the
products in a category relative
to each other. The ranking
scales may vary by building
type and category.
www.bre.co.uk/greenguide/
BRE Green Guide to Specification
2.0
32

33. Climate Change
Water Extraction
Mineral Extraction
Ozone Depletion
Human Toxicity
Ecotoxity to Freshwater
Nuclear Waste
Ecotoxicity to Land
Waste Disposal
Fossil Fuel Depletion
Eutrophication
Ozone Creation
Acidification
www.bre.co.uk/greenguide/
KG of CO2 eq.
BRE Green Guide to Specification
2.0
33

34. • Evaluates specific products
www.lcacalculator.com/
LCA Calculator
2.0
34

35. • Evaluates specific products
• Relies on detailed information
about the product’s
production, transportation,
maintenance and disposal
www.lcacalculator.com/
LCA Calculator
2.0
35

36. • Evaluates specific products
• Relies on detailed information
about the product’s
production, transportation,
maintenance and disposal
• May be most appropriate for
manufacturers
www.lcacalculator.com/
LCA Calculator
2.0
36

37. • Subscription Service
www.pharosproject.net
Pharos Project
2.0
37

38. • Subscription Service
• Rates specific products in 5
categories: VOC, User Toxics,
Manufacturer Toxics,
Renewable Materials,
Renewable Energy
www.pharosproject.net
Pharos Project
2.0
38

39. • Subscription Service
• Rates specific products in 5
categories: VOC, User Toxics,
Manufacturer Toxics,
Renewable Materials,
Renewable Energy
• Dependent on public
information and manufacturer
cooperation
www.pharosproject.net
Pharos Project
2.0
39

40. 3.0
LCA Certifications
40

41. ISO 14020 Series Standards:
Type 1: multi-attribute label developed by a third party
Type 2: single-attribute label developed by the producer
Type 3: eco-label based on a full lifecycle assessment
3.0
41

42. ISO 14020 Series Standards:
Type 1 Labels:
• Must look at multiple criteria such as recycled content,
toxins and renewable energy
• Enable comparisons between products in the same
category
• Includes some aspects of LCA but requirements are not
nearly as stringent as those for Type 3
3.0
42

43. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
www.ecologo.org
Environmental Choice EcoLogo
3.0
43

44. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Addresses multiple environmental
impacts through the life of the
product www.ecologo.org
Environmental Choice EcoLogo
3.0
44

45. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Addresses multiple environmental
impacts through the life of the
product www.ecologo.org
• Different standards are available for
different product types
Environmental Choice EcoLogo
3.0
45

46. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Addresses multiple environmental
impacts through the life of the
product www.ecologo.org
• Different standards are available for
different product types
• Available for a wide variety of
product types
Environmental Choice EcoLogo
3.0
46

47. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
www.eco-label.com
EU Flower Label
3.0
47

48. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Criteria exist for energy consumption,
toxicity, recyclability and waste prevention.
www.eco-label.com
EU Flower Label
3.0
48

49. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Criteria exist for energy consumption,
toxicity, recyclability and waste prevention.
• All aspects of the product’s creation and use
including extraction, manufacturing,
distribution, use, and disposal are examined.
www.eco-label.com
EU Flower Label
3.0
49

50. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Criteria exist for energy consumption,
toxicity, recyclability and waste prevention.
• All aspects of the product’s creation and use
including extraction, manufacturing,
distribution, use, and disposal are examined.
• Available for all product types except food, www.eco-label.com
beverages, pharmaceuticals and medical
devices
EU Flower Label
3.0
50

51. • ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Criteria exist for energy consumption,
toxicity, recyclability and waste prevention.
• All aspects of the product’s creation and use
including extraction, manufacturing,
distribution, use, and disposal are examined.
• Available for all product types except food, www.eco-label.com
beverages, pharmaceuticals and medical
devices
• The official environmental product label for
the European Union
EU Flower Label
3.0
51

52. • Not officially an ISO 14020 Type 1 label
mbdc.com
Cradle to Cradle Certification
3.0
52

53. • Not officially an ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Criteria exist for material health,
material reutilization, renewable energy
use, water stewardship and social
responsibility.
mbdc.com
Cradle to Cradle Certification
3.0
53

54. • Not officially an ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Criteria exist for material health,
material reutilization, renewable energy
use, water stewardship and social
responsibility.
mbdc.com
• All aspects of the product’s creation
and use including extraction,
manufacturing, distribution, use, and
disposal are examined.
Cradle to Cradle Certification
3.0
54

55. • Not officially an ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Criteria exist for material health,
material reutilization, renewable energy
use, water stewardship and social
responsibility.
mbdc.com
• All aspects of the product’s creation
and use including extraction,
manufacturing, distribution, use, and
disposal are examined.
• Available for all product types
Cradle to Cradle Certification
3.0
55

56. • Not officially an ISO 14020 Type 1 label
• Criteria exist for material health,
material reutilization, renewable energy
use, water stewardship and social
responsibility.
mbdc.com
• All aspects of the product’s creation
and use including extraction,
manufacturing, distribution, use, and
disposal are examined.
• Available for all product types
• Has four levels of certification: basic,
silver, gold and platinum
Cradle to Cradle Certification
3.0
56

57. 4.0
Industry Examples
57

58. Industry Certifications
4.0
58

59. Industry Certifications
4.0
59

60. Industry Certifications
4.0
60

61. Industry Certifications
4.0
61

62. Industry Certifications
4.0
62

63. Industry Certifications
4.0
63

64. Industry Certifications
4.0
64

65. Industry Certifications
4.0
65

66. Industry Certifications
4.0
66

67. • Metrics have been
developed for:
• Energy
• Climate
• Waste
• Facilities
• Transportation
• Environmental
Product Declarations
(EPD) focus on LCA
www.interfaceglobal.com/Sustainability/Interface-Story.aspx
Interface
4.0
67

68. • Total cost of ownership
(TCO) analysis addresses
one aspect of LCCA
• Investigates the impact of
carpet fibers that require
less maintenance over the
product life span
antron.net/content/toolbox/ant05_01.shtml
Antron Carpet Fiber
4.0
68

69. • Life cycle impact (LCI)
calculator identifies
potential energy and
emission reductions
• Investigates the impact of
carpet fibers that reduce
material use and disposal
by having a longer
serviceable life
antron.net/content/toolbox/ant05_06.shtml
Antron Carpet Fiber
4.0
69

70. • The ICEberg program helps
compare long term costs of
conventional and modular
construction through LCA
techniques
• The software takes into account
environmental considerations
of both systems such as CO2
emissions for transportation
and likely waste generation
dirtt.net/public/sustainability/proof.php
DIRTT ICEberg
4.0
70

71. • The program even accounts for
occupant health and comfort
levels during the use phase
with analysis of VOCs and
Acoustics
dirtt.net/public/sustainability/proof.php
DIRTT ICEberg
4.0
71

72. 5.0
Applying LCA/LCCA
72

73. Applying LCA/LCAA
STEP 1: Ensure that you understand the
elements of LCA/LCCA
73

74. Applying LCA/LCAA
STEP 1: Ensure that you understand the
elements of LCA/LCCA
STEP 2: Use LCA tools like BEES or the BRE Green
Guide to keep LCA considerations in mind when
comparing product type options such as resilient
flooring vs. carpet vs. ceramic tile
74

75. Applying LCA/LCAA
STEP 1: Ensure that you understand the
elements of LCA/LCCA
STEP 2: Use LCA tools like BEES or the BRE Green
Guide to keep LCA considerations in mind when
comparing product type options such as resilient
flooring vs. carpet vs. ceramic tile
STEP 3: Look to product certifications and
manufacturer tools to help you choose between
products of the same type
75

76. Tips
• Pick you battles- whole building LCA is still
evolving
76

77. Tips
• Pick you battles- whole building LCA is still
evolving
• Is LCCA enough? Understand when delving deeper
into LCA is crucial
77

78. Tips
• Pick you battles- whole building LCA is still
evolving
• Is LCCA enough? Understand when delving deeper
into LCA is crucial
• Compare data from multiple sources if possible
78

79. Tips
• Pick you battles- whole building LCA is still
evolving
• Is LCCA enough? Understand when delving deeper
into LCA is crucial
• Compare data from multiple sources if possible
• Manufacturer tools can be very helpful but keep an
eye out for greenwashing
79

80. Thank You!
Allison Beer McKenzie
amckenzie@shp.com
www.buildingmygreenlife.com
Carrie Malatesta
cmalatesta@shp.com
www.shp.com
8