Life Cycle Assessment modeling has a steep learning curve and strong software skills are key in understanding the process. In addition, most LCA apps have substantial subscriptions, often with database fees as additional costs. That said these costs may make sense given that creating and maintaining these apps and databases are no small challenge given so many variables – millions of products, materials, locations, transport options, etc.
For occasional or limited use this can be quite challenging, especially when you don’t want to recreate data that already exists. Our recommended course of action is to:
- Learn as much as you can about the LCA process. See our recommended videos and case studies below.
- Find the data elsewhere – in articles, reports and studies, and follow the data trail to its source.
- Seek out an expert, or perhaps a series of experts, who have access to the required data sources or a LCA. See the companion article, Find An Expert for our step-by-step approach.
| Videos | Case Studies |
 Designer Angel Chang, TedEd, 2018, 6 minutes |
Social and Environmental Impacts of a T-Shirt: A Life Cycle Approach, Powerpoint Presentation, Ethical Fashion Show Berlin, Franziska Eisfeldt and Franziska Möller, Green Delta GmbH, 2017, 50 pages
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OpenLCA PET Water Bottles LCA – Germany, Case Study, Sarah Winter, Green Delta GmbH, 2014, 23 pages
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