Case studies examining LCA streamlining techniques

Pressure is mounting for more streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods that allow for evaluations that are quick and simple, but accurate. As part of an overall research effort to develop and demonstrate streamlined LCA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has funded studies to examine the validity of various streamlining methods. Ten streamlining methods were identified and tested for accuracy against full LCAs. The objective of this effort was to identify streamlining methods that produced conclusions similar to those reached through full LCAs. Results of this evaluation showed that many streamlining methods give incorrect conclusions at least half of the time as compared to full LCAs. Streamlining will always incur the risk of obtaining results that are different than a full LCA. However, if some level of risk is acceptable, there are some general rules that can be used to select a streamlining method that will reduce the risk of serious error.