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The application of LCA in a policy context: A case study of PVC

The application of LCA in a policy context: A case study of PVC. Daren Luscombe. The context. Big debate between industry and pressure groups Range of issues – toxicity, waste, production stage energy intensity, comparative performance?

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The application of LCA in a policy context: A case study of PVC

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  1. The application of LCA in a policy context:A case study of PVC Daren Luscombe

  2. The context • Big debate between industry and pressure groups • Range of issues – toxicity, waste, production stage energy intensity, comparative performance? • EC Green Paper on PVC ‘Environmental Issues of PVC’, 2000 – focussed on additives and waste – is there a case for material substitution? • How would PVC stack up compared to alternative materials across a range of impacts? • UK Govt needed to respond to the EC Green Paper and the debate between industry and pressure groups

  3. The study • Comparative LCA of four products with an alternative material • Also integrated life cycle external costs and assessment of risk through the life cycle Collation trays = PVC vs. polystyrene Flooring = PVC vs. linoleum Rainwater pipes = PVC vs. aluminium Window profiles = PVC vs. wood

  4. Total primary energy(window profiles) • First Level - Arial 26pt (Bold) • Second Level - Arial 26pt (Normal) • Third Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fourth Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fifth Level - 16pt (Normal)

  5. Carbon dioxide(window profiles)

  6. Waste(window profiles) • First Level - Arial 26pt (Bold) • Second Level - Arial 26pt (Normal) • Third Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fourth Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fifth Level - 16pt (Normal)

  7. Greenhouse Effect(window profiles) • First Level - Arial 26pt (Bold) • Second Level - Arial 26pt (Normal) • Third Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fourth Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fifth Level - 16pt (Normal)

  8. Acidification(window profiles) • First Level - Arial 26pt (Bold) • Second Level - Arial 26pt (Normal) • Third Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fourth Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fifth Level - 16pt (Normal)

  9. Photochemical oxidant formation(window profiles) • First Level - Arial 26pt (Bold) • Second Level - Arial 26pt (Normal) • Third Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fourth Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fifth Level - 16pt (Normal)

  10. Depletion of non-renewable resources(window profiles) • First Level - Arial 26pt (Bold) • Second Level - Arial 26pt (Normal) • Third Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fourth Level - 20pt (Normal) • Fifth Level - 16pt (Normal)

  11. Risks through the material life cycles? • Used life cycle thinking and information on unit process risks • PVC and PS had more ‘high’ and ‘intermediate’ level risks • Aluminium, lino & wood had lower levels of risk • Toxic fumes in fires from PVC – but falling off a ladder from painting wood window frames !

  12. Total social costs(window profiles) • Used life cycle thinking and inventory outputs • Product price plus environmental externalities • Externalities for both are around 1% of TSC • Wood has greater externalities due to transport health and accident externalities resulting from greater distances of materials transport

  13. Relevance to a Local Authority?– housing stock window replacement policy • Single or double glazed, PVC or wood • Environmental, safety, comfort, cost issues • Environment and risks – a mixed picture • Life time cost (installation & maintenance)? Wood 22% greater over 30 years

  14. So how did we influence the policy debate? • First neutral study • Used life cycle inventory and unit process information to develop economic and risk analysis • End-of-life as area for improvement and policy focus for both Govt. and industry – 8,000t recycled in 2005, much more to do ! • The need to understand the comparative impacts of alternative materials before jumping ship

  15. So how did this influence the policy debate? • Toxics – the issue? Dioxins, cadmium, lead, phthalate • Provided a broader context – information about more impacts. Not all good or bad • Policy makers caught in the middle of industry and pressure group campaigns • ‘Profoundly influential’ in moving the nature of the debate from hostile and adversarial to more objective

  16. The application of LCA in a policy context:A case study of PVC Daren Luscombe

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