Title: Lifecycle Assessment Providers: EPFL, Quantis, Nespresso Subject area: Sustainable Manufacturing Learning Object: Learning plan Level: Medium Type: Age group: Undergraduate Requirements: Quantis Suite 2.0 Software ( A short tutorial-presentation of the software: Learning Plan 1

Introduction Does Lifecycle Assessment ring a bell for you? Mmmmm…. Let’s see. Watch the following video to get a first glance of LCA. Now think… How is LCA related to envoronmental performance? Any ideas? Watch the video below to get an answer… Success criterion: Watch the 2/3 of the video No blocking condition The role of LCA in the manufacturing world today. Many companies nowadays are involved in a LCA strategy. Towards this direction LCA experts help them move towards sustainable development through lifecycle approaches. For instance Quantis provides LCA consulting along with innovative tools to help industries reach their sustainability goals. Gregory Simonnin, Life Cycle analyst for Quantis can give you a tour of his companies LifeCycle Solutions C:\Users\skevi\Desktop\ManuSkills Learning Plans DK\LCA\EPFL_LICP-LCA-training-IntroToLCA a.pdf

Nespresso “In 2009 we commissioned a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by specialist environmental consultants, Quantis. You can read more about the LCA approach in the Carbon Footprint section. The study showed that when it comes to environmental impact, aluminium capsules that are recycled after use are the optimal way to make an espresso coffee in a Nespresso machine, among all options currently available. In 2011 Quantis conducted a new LCA study, which shows that among all options assessed to make an espresso coffee in a Nespresso machine, the Nespressoaluminium capsule that is recycled after use is the option with the lowest environmental impacts, among all those currently in the market.”Carbon Footprint section For more information on this project you can check:  A short presentation of the case study and results  The detailed report for the Nespresso LCA (

Application of LCA Which option is better for the environment: remanufacturing or recycling? Answer: It depends! (But remanufacturing is typically better) 4 Source: G. Souza Time for reflection

Example A. Two Automotive Parts (Low Level of Technological Obsolescence) Source: Bert Bras (2009) In “disposal” a new part has to be produced from virgin raw materials In recycling, a new part is produced from recycled materials In remanufacturing, the part is remanufactured and reused 5 Remanufacturing is clearly better!

Example B. Cell Phones: Impact on Global Warming ( Primarily Energy Consumption ) 6 Most carbon footprint (and also energy use) occurs in purchased pars (manufacturing and raw material extraction.) Remanufacturing is best! Source: G. Souza

Example C. Desktop PCs: Impact on Global Warming ( Primarily Energy Consumption ) 7 Most carbon footprint (and also energy use) occurs in purchased pars (manufacturing and raw material extraction.) Remanufacturing is best! Source: G. Souza

Example D. Internet Switching Equipment: Impact on Global Warming (Primarily Energy Consumption) 8 Most carbon footprint (and also energy use) occurs during the use. Recycling is best, if newer equipment is more energy efficient! Source: G. Souza

Example E. Refrigerators: Impact on Cumulative Energy Consumption Source: Quariguasi Frota Neto et al Again, most energy consumption occurs in usage. Best to replace old appliances with energy efficient new appliances. Recycling is best! 9 Distribution Manufacturing Use

Question: Could we make an interactive video? Show each slide separately and present the two different scenarios. Afterwards, ask which option is the best for each case and allow students to check the correct answer. Immediately feedback is given (like the MOOC videos). Success Criteria Block learners’ path? Include discussion support? Access to learning analytics?