Starter quiz
- What key term describes resources that exist in limited quantities on Earth, and once they have been used they cannot be regenerated or replaced in our lifetime?
- 'finite' ✓
- Which of the following statements about the disposal of products are true?
- All waste products can be recycled.
- Incineration releases energy that can be used in the generation of electricity. ✓
- Sending waste to landfill conserves finite resources.
- Sending waste to landfill sites reduces the release of greenhouse gases.
- Recycling conserves finite resources. ✓
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- Which statement about crude oil is subjective?
- Crude oil is composed of hydrocarbons.
- The viscosity of crude oil varies depending on its composition.
- Crude oil is a non-renewable resource.
- Crude oil is the best energy source for the future. ✓
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- Which statement about raw materials is objective?
- Raw materials are natural resources used in manufacturing goods. ✓
- The supply of raw material is always poor when it is sunny.
- Timber is the most environmentally friendly raw material.
- Iron ore is the most essential raw material.
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- What is the name of the assessment used to measure the environmental impact of a product throughout its life?
- end of year assessment
- life cycle assessment ✓
- sustainability assessment
- disposal method assessment
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- Sort the following statements to show the correct order of stages in a life cycle assessment.
- 1⇔extraction and processing of raw materials
- 2⇔manufacture of the product and packaging
- 3⇔use and maintenance of the product
- 4⇔disposal of the product
Exit quiz
- What is the first step in the life cycle of a product?
- disposal
- processing raw materials
- obtaining raw materials ✓
- manufacturing
- use of product
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- What key term means to carry something out over a long period of time with little or no negative impact on the environment?
- 'sustainable' ✓
- Which of the following can be revealed by a life cycle assessment (LCA)?
- the weight of the product
- the marketing strategy for the product
- the financial cost of manufacturing a product
- the people who benefit from each stage of a product’s life ✓
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- What is one of the main purposes of conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA)?
- to find new markets for the product
- to understand the environmental impact at each stage of a product’s life ✓
- to determine the shelf life of the product
- to estimate the resale value of the product
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- What is a potential limitation of using LCAs for decision-making?
- they only consider the environmental impact on animals
- they only focus on short-term costs
- they can be subjective ✓
- they are too expensive to conduct
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- Why is it important to consider vested interests when reviewing the findings of an LCA?
- LCAs are always conducted by neutral parties
- the results can be biased based on who conducted the LCA ✓
- LCAs are purely objective
- LCAs only consider economic factors
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- To make a product, raw materials need to be obtained and processed.
- A life cycle assessment can reveal the people who benefit from each stage of a product’s life.
- A life cycle assessment can reveal the costs to individuals or the environment at each stage of a product’s life.
- At the end of its useful life a product can be repaired, recycled, incinerated or thrown away.
- LCAs are often subjective, so it is important to consider the vested interests of those reporting on their findings.
Common misconception
LCAs only measure the carbon footprint of a product.
The slide deck addresses what is included in a LCA such as energy use, water use and pollutants released.
Keywords
Life cycle assessment - A life cycle assessment (LCA) measures the environmental impact of a product throughout its life.
Raw materials - The starting materials used to make products are known as the raw materials. Wood, metal and crude oil are examples of raw materials.
Sustainable - To be sustainable means to carry something out over a long period of time with little or no negative impact on the environment.
Subjective - Something that is subjective is based on personal feelings, opinions or perspectives.
Objective - Something that is objective is based on facts rather than personal opinions.
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