Product Life Cycle Assessment

Running head: PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
Product Life Cycle Assessment
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................3
1 Methodology...................................................................................................................4
1.1 Streamlined Product Life Cycle Assessment..............................................................5
2. Baseline Study........................................................................................................................8
2.1 Scope and System Boundary............................................................................................9
2.2 Raw materials, Manufacturing and End of Life...............................................................9
2.2.0 Extraction of raw materials.......................................................................................9
2.2.1 Manufacturing.........................................................................................................10
2.3 Use Phase.......................................................................................................................11
2.3.1 Using Detergent......................................................................................................12
2.4 End of Life.....................................................................................................................13
3. Ideas for New Product..........................................................................................................14
3.1 Recycling water from previous rinse.............................................................................14
3.2 Using rainwater..........................................................................................................14
3.3 RFID technology........................................................................................................14
3.4 NFC (Near Field Communication).............................................................................15
3.5 AC Power Metering...................................................................................................15
3.6 pay per wash...............................................................................................................15
3.7 Refurbishment............................................................................................................15
3.8 Direct Drive................................................................................................................15
3.9 Eco bubble..................................................................................................................15

2PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
3.10 Using ‘Swirl’ concept washing machine that uses manual rotation........................16
3.11: Using water from clothes washing cycle to flush the toilet....................................16
4 Service...................................................................................................................................16
5. Comparing the baseline with the new product or service....................................................16
6. Sustainability issues.............................................................................................................17
7. Feasibility of implementation and potential barriers...........................................................17
Conclusion................................................................................................................................17
References:...............................................................................................................................18

3PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
Introduction:
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a tool that can be used to assess the sustainability of a
product. However the tool can be expensive to use, consumes a lot of time and its
applications are limited to a small range of products (Kyriaki et al. 2018). These
shortcomings can be avoided by the implementation of Streamlined Life Cycle Analysis
(SLCA) method. This strategy is not only faster and cheaper but also allows 80% of the
challenges organizations face, thereby providing greater efficiency (Friesenhan et al. 2017;
Calvo-Serrano and Guillén-Gosálbez 2018).
The report aims to study the range of washing machines currently in the market and
select a machine that is environmentally friendly and perform SLCA evaluation on the
product in order to create a baseline data. Using this design, proposal for a new product
would also be made, comparing them to current models.
Aim of Product Life Cycle Analysis
The chief aim of the product life cycle analysis is to enhance the physical efficiency
of the washing Machine by 30 percent. Another major objective of the product life cycle
includes diminishing the energy leakage by one sixth of the current energy leakage. The third
objective of the product life cycle analysis is to drop the carbon footprint by 15 parcent of the
current footprint.When it comes to scope of the PLCA, the manufacturer possess the scope to
use the recycable products as raw materials. Alon with this, in order enhance the pphysical
eficiency of the products alternativee fuel resource needs to be used.

4PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
Figure 1: Flow of the life-cycle stages, energy, materials, and effluents for washing machine.
Source: Calvo-Serrano and Guillén-Gosálbez 2018
The diagrams (2a and 2b) below shows the life cycle of a typical washing machine

5PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
Figure 2a Washing machine Life Cycle (overview). Source: Calvo-Serrano and Guillén-
Gosálbez 2018
Figure 2b. Washing machine Life Cycle (detailed). Source:Friesenhan et al. 2017
1 Methodology