Development and assessment of a Pre-LCA tool

Life cycle assessment (LCA) methods for identifying, evaluating, and selecting among alternative opportunities for improving the energy, resource, and environmental release profile of a product or process are still developing. The application of life-cycle assessment in the computer industry has been limited by the complexity of the products involved and the multi-national nature of the manufacturing operations. The starting point for development of the Digital Pre-LCA method was an approach applied by Battelle to less complex products. The resulting Pre-LCA (P-LCA) method consists of a structured analysis of a product, package, or assembly organized around a series of environmental impact issue areas.<>