Example Projects
SimaPro LCA Software
This software program contains Franklin Associates' U.S. LCI data for several materials (including various plastic resins, metals, glass, paper and paperboard, as well as fuels and electricity) and is published by PRé Consultants.
U.S. Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) Database
This was an extensive project to develop a publicly available U.S. database of LCI information that uses a common protocol for all unit processes. The protocol document for the project was completed in January 2002, and the data collection has been ongoing. This project was a cooperative effort with Franklin Associates, Athena Institute, and Sylvatica. Franklin Associates developed many of the key data sets, including data for production and combustion of process and transportation fuels, grid electricity, plastic resins, primary and secondary aluminum, several metal transformation processes, and several commodity chemicals.
Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Nine Plastics Resins and Four Polyurethane Precursors - August 2011
This report provides an in-depth look at the environmental profiles for the production of major plastic resins and polyurethane precursors. This is the report behind the plastic resin data in the U.S. LCI database and was prepared for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council.
Peer-Reviewed Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) for the Production and Use of Installed Residential Piping Systems for Three House Layouts - February 2011 (PDF)
This peer-reviewed report, completed in 2011 for the Plastic Piping Education Foundation (PPEF), examined the production and use of pipe systems installed in three residential home layouts. The appendices attached at the end of the report include a 2008 life cycle inventory report prepared for the Plastic Pipe and Fitting Association (PPFA) on production of several types of water supply pipe, hot and cold water distribution (HCWD) pipe, and drain/waste/vent (DWV) pipe.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Three Single-Serving Soft Drink Containers – August 2009 (PDF)
This peer reviewed study was commissioned by PET Resin Association to evaluate the environmental footprint of the PET bottle and alternative containers used for soft drinks. Three common non-refillable single-serving soft drink containers were evaluated - aluminum can, glass bottle, and PET bottle.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Summary for Eight Coffee Packaging Systems – September 2008
This peer reviewed report examines several rigid and flexible packaging options for ground coffee. The analysis quantifies the environmental benefits of light weight and flexible packaging options for coffee in terms of reduced energy use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and less waste. Production of the coffee in the package was not included. This report was prepared for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Summary for Four Half-Gallon Milk Containers – September 2008
This peer reviewed report examines several packaging options for fresh milk and quantifies the energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and solid waste for the life cycle of each packaging option. Production of the milk in the package was not included. This report was prepared for the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Summary for Six Tuna Packaging Systems – August 2008
This peer reviewed report examines several rigid and flexible packaging options for processed tuna. The analysis quantifies reductions in energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and solid waste for light weight and flexible packaging options. Production of the tuna in the package was not included. This report was prepared for the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council.
Electronics Waste Management in the United States – July 2008 (PDF)
A report on consumer electronics generation and end-of-life management prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This report contributes to the information base on electronics generation and management in the U.S.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in the United States – 2010 Facts and Figures
This fact sheet describes the national waste stream (MSW generation, recovery, and disposal) based on data collected from 1960 through 2008 and was prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Summary for PLA and PET 12-Ounce Water Bottles – December 2007 (PDF)
This summary report was prepared for the PET Resin Association and evaluates the life cycle inventory results for 12-ounce water bottles. The common polyethylene terephthalate (PET) 12-ounce water bottle is compared to one produced from polylactide (PLA).
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Container Systems for Wine - October 2006 (PDF)
This peer reviewed study was commissioned by Tetra Pak and compared different wine packaging systems.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Polystyrene Foam, Bleached Paperboard, and Corrugated Paperboard Foodservice Products – March 2006
This peer-reviewed study provides an extensive and comparative look at the energy and environmental performance of foodservice packaging products made with polystyrene foam, bleached paperboard or corrugated paperboard. This study was prepared for the Polystyrene Packaging Council, a part of the American Chemistry Council’s Non-Durables Plastics Panel.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Reusable Plastic Containers and Display-Ready Corrugated Containers Used for Fresh Produce Applications – November 2004 (PDF)
This is the executive summary for the study of two types of shipping containers used for shipping fresh produce and was prepared for the Reusable Pallet and Container Coalition (RPCC).
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of Packaging Options for Shipment of Retail Mail-Order Soft Goods – April 2004
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Metro, and U.S. EPA co-sponsored this peer-reviewed study in order to evaluate the solid wastes, as well as energy, materials, and atmospheric and waterborne emissions associated with the entire life cycle (production, use, and discards) of a variety of packaging materials that are currently used to ship non-breakable items (soft goods) in catalog sales or e-commerce.
Characterization of Building-Related Construction and Demolition Debris in the United States – June 1998 (PDF)
This report characterizes the quantity and composition of building related construction & demolition (C&D) debris generated in the U.S. and was prepared for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).