We so often use products with out thinking about how they were made, or what will happen to them when we are done. We are glad to have them but do not worry about their life cycle analysis.
The evolution of the lifecycle analysis of products came about after the industrial revolution. The phases a product goes through start with the raw materials used to make the product. Then to production, distribution, use, and disposal. We can refer to this as its cradle to grave lifespan which is intern the lifecycle being analyzed. These types of analysis study the environmental impacts of a product such as say a car from the life cycle perspective. We being by looking at the extraction of the materials need and all the inputs such as energy used to get the material and the outputs such as emissions. Then follow through all the steps to final disposal all taking into account their inputs and outputs.
As a consumer we need to appreciate the functions of our products and be aware of they environmental impacts. When you buy the next new iPhone that comes out, what do you do with the old one? Or what about a new car, we so often invest in new products that society wants us to buy not realizing how damaging our lifestyle is. All those things if not disposed of properly can hurt the environment in so many different ways. Life Cycle analysis can really show how awful some companies are and how much damage they create. Hopefully they can use that data to try and improve methods of making and disposing of products in the future more so than now.
What is Life cycle analysis? I am actually kind of confuse. It would be better if blogger can do some explanation. One thing I did get from this blog is that we should properly dispose each of our product due to the possible environmental impacts they may cause. Even so, sometimes I still do not know how to deal with my useless stuff. Just like mobile phone as blogger mentioned, I left my old phone in home for a really long time since I got a new one. It's a pity to throw it away, but it seems useless to keep it home. What do you think I should do?
ReplyDeleteA life cycle analysis is analyzing the environment inputs and outputs of a product from Cradle to grave. As for the phone you can look up electronic recycling places in your area. I know MSU had an e-waste recycling collection a couple of weeks ago where you can take thing like your old phones or computers to someone who knows how to properly dispose of them.
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