Becoming more sustainable: how a life cycle analysis can help you

What is a life cycle analysis (LCA) and why is it important? 

A life cycle analysis (LCA) is a method for examining the environmental impact of a product from start to finish. It considers not only the production phase but also the raw materials, transport, use, and what happens to the product when it is disposed of. This approach is often referred to as the ‘cradle to grave’ method. 

Valuable insights
An LCA provides valuable information that aids in making more sustainable choices. By examining various aspects of a product, such as raw materials and transport, you can identify where the greatest environmental impacts lie. This allows for targeted improvements. Let’s take a look at the key components: 

• Raw materials: How much water, energy, and other resources are required to produce the product? What is the environmental burden associated with this? 
• Production and processing: Energy and water are consumed during production. An LCA maps this out.
• Transport: What is the impact of transporting your product? This can range from local transport to international shipments that emit significant CO2. 
• Use and retail: This examines the period during which the product is used and stored. For instance, is it kept in a chilled environment? That requires additional energy.
• Waste management: What happens to the product at the end of its life cycle? Is it recycled or sent to a landfill? All of this affects the final environmental impact. 

Why conduct a life cycle analysis?
An LCA helps you identify the ‘hotspots’—the moments in the life cycle where the greatest environmental impacts occur. You might find that you consume a lot of energy during production or that transport requires significant fuel. By pinpointing these hotspots, you can take targeted steps to reduce your footprint. 

With the HortiFootprint Calculator, you gain insight not only into CO2 emissions but also into other important categories, such as water use, land use, and acidification. This allows you to focus on the aspects most relevant to your business and products. 

Becoming more sustainable
A life cycle analysis helps your business operate more sustainably. For example, if you notice that the extensive use of substrates during cultivation has a significant environmental impact, you might consider switching to a more eco-friendly alternative. You can also compare impacts over several years to assess whether your business is becoming more sustainable. 

Furthermore, with the results of a life cycle analysis, you can make credible marketing claims, such as: “Our products have a lower footprint!” This is transparent and based on real data.