Environmental issues such as the ozone depletion, global warming, and the use of non-renewable
resources have drawn a wide concern from the public as well as from engineers and scientists.
Different products used in our ordinary life produce environmental damage during their lifetime. The
intense pressure from the consumers and legislation in the current business environment has forced
both the service and manufacturing industries to re-examine their methods of manufacturing and the
use of raw materials. In recent years, well-known names in manufacturing and service sectors have
shown interest in understanding the effect of their products and services on the environment and to
use more environmentally friendly materials and processes.
Sustainable development requires methods and tools to measure and compare the environmental
impacts of human activities for various products viz. goods, services, etc.
This coursework, which contributes 40% of the overall module mark, require you to use the Product
Life Cycle Assessment (PLCA) technique to evaluate sustainability issues related to a product or item
from their raw materials extraction to their disposal.
Specific outcomes from this coursework include:
• Understand the four stages of PLCA methodology
• Be aware of the resources required to do a PLCA study in practice
• Be able to provide a critical perspective on the quality of a PLCA study done by others
• Understand the key benefits and challenges of the application of PLCA, especially as in
input to designing products and manufacturing processes
• Regularly present work, research, and findings to others (peers and tutors).