Why life-cycle assessment (LCA) matters to a first-time founder
Looking beyond the factory gate can reveal that a product’s largest impact comes from materials, customer use or disposal. That evidence helps founders prioritise redesign, answer buyer questions and avoid unsupported environmental claims. Results depend heavily on scope, data quality and the chosen comparison unit.
Examples of life-cycle assessment (LCA)
A reusable bottle company compares two designs per 1,000 litres of water consumed. Its study includes raw materials, manufacturing, transport, washing and end-of-life treatment. The heavier bottle has higher production emissions but lasts longer, so the result changes when realistic reuse rates are included.
Common misunderstanding
It is not simply a carbon footprint. A life-cycle assessment may examine climate change, water use, resource depletion and other impact categories. It also does not prove that a product is sustainable in every sense; social effects, biodiversity and local conditions may need separate analysis.
When to use it
Use it before making comparative environmental claims, redesigning a material-intensive product or responding to procurement requirements. Define the goal, system boundary and functional unit first, then use recognised standards and qualified practitioners where stakes are high. A rough screening study may be enough for early prioritisation.