The science of life cycle assessment (LCA) is in constant evolution. A significant amount of research is undertaken on the improvement of environmental indicators, regionalization, LCA of complex systems, and consequential LCA, as well as in rendering LCA results more useful for decision making and communication. At the same time, applying LCA to the forest products sector is probably more complex than for most other sectors due to, for instance, the connection of forest products to the carbon cycle, the use of land for forest management, and the multiple subsequent uses of wood fiber through recycling. In this context, NCASI’s objective in this focus area is to enable effective quantification of the environmental characteristics of the industry’s full value chain and product life cycle, including forest management, through evaluating and communicating the complexities of LCA as applied to the forest products sector, and promoting development of LCA methodologies that account for these complexities.
Life Cycle Assessment
NCASI has worked to improve the quantification of the environmental characteristics of the industry’s full value chain and product life cycle, including forest management, through evaluating and communicating the complexities of LCA as applied to the forest products sector...
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NCASI LCA research has focused on creating a better understanding of the life cycle attributes of specific forest products and the products against which they compete.
Learn MoreIn this interactive document, NCASI maps the landscape of ESG as it relates to environmental aspects relevant to the forest products industry.
Learn MoreThis paper reviews scientific literature on paper and plastic materials to provide context to conclusions brought forward by life cycle assessments regarding the environmental impacts of paper and plastic materials with the potential for human and ecological health risk.
Learn MoreThis white paper examines life cycle assessments (LCAs) comparing disposable paper and plastic products.
Learn MoreThis fact sheet discusses paper and plastic in the context of marine litter as well as the relevance of marine litter in LCAs comparing products made of these two materials.
Learn MoreInternational Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 12:1013-1026 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-020-01765-1 Download full…
Learn MoreThis white paper reviews novel life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches developed since 2015 that evaluate the potential effects of forest…
Learn MorePaper Calculator 4.0 is a web-based tool for calculating and comparing environmental impacts of fourteen different paper grades with user-selectable amounts of recycled content.
Learn MoreFew LCAs have addressed environmental aspects of land use, including potential effects on biodiversity, and this fact sheet addresses ongoing debate about approaches for doing so.
Learn MoreNCASI has developed an Excel spreadsheet of published sources of LCAs and Carbon Footprint information related to forest products.
Learn MoreThis webinar covered the potential for using context-specific metrics for reporting on water sustainability, and a review of EPN’s Paper Calculator 4.0.
Learn MoreThis webinar covered significant life cycle assessment-related activities and the state-specific guide on beneficial use project.
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