WSU Sustainable Systems Assignment 2: LCA and Energy Report

This report consists of two parts: a life cycle assessment comparing plastic and metallic plates, and an energy efficiency analysis focusing on torches. The life cycle assessment uses the GiBi application to determine the more environmentally friendly option, considering factors like disposal and toxicity. The analysis reveals that metallic plates are the better alternative due to their recyclability and lower toxicity. The second part examines the relationship between energy consumption and GDP in Australia, focusing on torch efficiency, cost, lifespan, and carbon emissions. It identifies opportunities to reduce energy consumption through alternative sources like solar and wind, and promotes energy conservation practices. The report concludes with recommendations for reducing energy expenditure and mitigating environmental pollution.

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PART 1: SUSTAINABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
Name of Institution:
Name of Student:
Date:

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Executive Summary
Over the years, there has been a lot of corporate collaboration towards environmental
conservation across the world (Lehmann & Joseph, 2015). This has been as a result of the shared
concern that continuous environmental pollution is contributing largely to the worsening weather
conditions across the world. Australia is not left behind in this journey. Climate change has been
at the center of discussion in most of the world forums and in most state conferences. There
have been a series of a recorded rise in sea levels and stronger storms from different states across
the world.
These concerns form the basis for writing this report. The results obtained from this analysis are
used to make a decision on which of the two items is more environmentally friendly. This
analysis is done using an application by the name GiBi.
Introduction
The consumption levels in a society depend on the payment capacity of the customers (Wu,
2011). When a commodity is affordable to most people and it is of good quality, the chances that
its demand would be high are very high. However, low-quality products attract fewer people
even when their prices are lower. High demand commodities require an equivalent volume of
supply to match up the demand (Kalecki, 2013). This way, there would be no deficit and
therefore the business would retain more customers. This is a healthy trend for any business.
The product chosen for this report is the plate. A comparison is done between a plastic plate and
a metallic plate. The areas under consideration for the two items is the effect they have on the
environment. This can be assessed by exploiting how easy it is to dispose of either of the two. A
life cycle analysis is conducted and the findings inform the position taken by the researcher.

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Problem Statement
The focus of this report is on metallic and plastic plates. This is kitchen appliances used to serve
food to friends and family members who sit around the tables for meals. Food is one of the most
basic needs for human beings (Gustavsson, et al., 2011). Confidently, it is a basic need for
animals too. This makes it very necessary to use quality plates that would have minimal or no
effect on the environment. Since food is a need for the masses, it goes without saying that the
number of plates across Australia is so much that if they are not disposed of properly, they would
be a major threat to the environment.
Both plastics and metals are non-biodegradable (Demirbas, 2011). This makes them very
sensitive items in regards to how they should be disposed of. These materials are not well-
handled leads to blockages in the sewerage systems. They also make the environment dirty and
not attractive. Imagine the physical appearance of a field full of plastics and metallic items of
types of colors spread all over. With this, it is possible to come up with the most creative ways of
disposing of these products without compromising the principles of environmental conservation.
Life Cycle Analysis Process
The International Organization for Standards (ISO) the following procedures to be followed
when conducting the life cycle analysis.
Life Cycle Analysis
First step:
Definitions of
Goal definition
and
Determination of
the Scope
Second step: The
Life Cycle
Inventory
Identifying both
inputs and
outputs
Third step: Impact
Assessment
Assess environmental
effects.
Fourth step:
Interpretation

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Weight and Functional unit
Metallic Plate Plastic Pate
Weight 7.65 – 408.0 (lb/ft2) 0.55 – 1.27 g/cc
Functional unit More than 100 years Utmost 450 years
Data source: (Uhthoff, et al., 2009)
Impact Analysis

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Hotspot identification
Both plastic and metals are non- biodegradable. However, plastics release toxic gases into the
atmosphere such as carbon.
Remedial measures
There should be a controlled production of both plastic and metals. However, companies should
be encouraged to produce more metals because of it less toxic. Plastics should be recycled in
order to reduce their harmful effects in the environment.
Best alternative
The analysis clearly reveals that the best alternative is the metallic plate. The metals are less
toxic and hence has fewer effects on the environment. Moreover, metals are recyclable.

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References
Demirbas, A., 2011. Waste management, waste resource facilities, and waste conversion
processes. Energy Conversion and Management, 52(2), pp. 1280-1287.
Gustavsson, J. et al., 2011. Global food losses and food waste. In: Rome: s.n., pp. 23-41.
Kalecki, M., 2013. Theory of economic dynamics.
Lazarevic, D., Aoustin, E., Buclet, N. & Brandt, N., 2010. Plastic waste management in the
context of a European recycling society: Comparing results and uncertainties in a life cycle
perspective. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, December, 55(2), pp. 246-259.
Lehmann, J. & Joseph, S., 2015. Biochar for environmental management: an introduction. In
Biochar for environmental management, pp. 33-46.
Uhthoff, H. K., Poitras, P. & Backman, D. S., 2009. Internal plate fixation of fractures: a short
history and recent developments. Journal of Orthopaedic Science, 11(2), p. 118–126.
Wu, B., 2011. Consumption and economic law. Consumption and Management, pp. 61-97.

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Executive Summary
There is a huge relationship between the levels of energy consumption in Australia and the
country’s Gross Domestic Product (Shahiduzzaman & Alam, 2012). When more households use
electric energy for their daily operations, they would be paying more to the government in form
of taxes. This money flows back into the economy and is used by the government to execute
development projects.
The main venue of interest is the household. The report examines how effective it is to use the
torch within the house. It would be very useful when it turns dark.
This paper reviews the efficiency of a torch and how environmentally friendly it is. Some of the
main aspects looked into in the paper include the cost of a torch in Australia, its lifespan, energy
consumption, efficiency and its usage per day.
The paper also recommends possible ways through which the consumption in Australia could be
reduced. This is mainly meant to reduce the expenditure on electricity for every household,
therefore enabling them to save enough.
Problem Statement
The escalating energy consumption rates in Australia is on the rise. This is a trend that might be
viewed in two ways. It could be looked at from its positive side. This implies that more people
are paying for the energy consumed, resulting in increased taxes. On the other hand, increased
energy consumption may lead to a faster edition of resources.

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Other than that, there is increased environmental pollution in Australia and across the world.
This has led to immense climate change that has had several negative effects on the environment.
One of the major causes of climate change is the constant emission of carbon products into the
atmosphere. Due to this fact, it is important that more focus is directed to sources of energy that
emit little or no carbon to the atmosphere. In fact, the sources should have no traces carbon to
ensure no emission of the harmful substance to the atmosphere. Environmental pollution has
resulted in both health complications for the citizens and the rise in energy levels.
There is a need to ensure that the cost escalation is contained within manageable levels. Below is
a summary of some of the main features of a touch.
Torch
Cost $ 16 - $ 700
Source of light Incandescent and LED
Efficiency Very efficient
Portability Very portable
Carbon emissions 10 lpm
Data Source: (Kwak, et al., 2015)
State Selection
I have selected New South Wales (NSW)
Energy Regulatory Bodies in NSW
Torches are regulated to ensure that the bim is kept consistent irrespective of the battery levels.
An electronic regulation unit is added to most torches to keep adding the amperage as the levels