ENG519 Sustainability: Life Cycle Assessment

Group assignment (four students per group)

The following are the general requirements for this assessment item. They must be read in conjunction with your discipline expert's specific design project instructions.

Length: The complete LCA report (no more than 20 pages (1.5 spaces and 12 font size) and appendix no more than 10 pages summary of outputs) with Cradle to Grave and Cradle to Cradle scenarios. Note the marking guidelines give marks for being concise.

Content of Part B:

The content must include the following key phases of LCA, and you are required to provide and structure your subheadings. Your report must be within page limit and professionally presented.

A sample report has been provided to you as a guide. Suggestions of items to include are:

Goal and Scope: Define the purpose, the intended audience, and the reasons for carrying out the LCA. This also includes setting the functional unit, which serves as a reference unit to which all inputs and outputs are related.

Scenarios: Discuss the Cradle to Grave and Cradle to Cradle scenarios in detail, explaining the differences and comparing their environmental impacts.

Inventory Analysis (C2G and C2C): Detailed data collection and calculation procedures for inputs and outputs of the product system. This includes energy and raw materials used, as well as environmental releases.

Sankey Diagram (C2G and C2C): Using the Sankey Diagram, a visual representation of the flow of resources and energy through the life cycle. Highlight the massive flows and biggest consumers of resources, which Open LCA has this function.

Impact Assessment (C2G and C2C): Detailed section uses the results from the inventory analysis to evaluate the significance of potential environmental impacts for both scenarios. Highlight the most significant impacts and their implications.

Interpretation (C2G and C2C): This should be the most detailed section of the report. Discuss the results and the limitations of the study, and conclude. Provide clear and detailed recommendations for potential improvements to reduce environmental impact. Compare the C2G and C2C scenarios, thoroughly analysing each approach's potential benefits and challenges.

Appendix: Include additional relevant information such as detailed calculations, assumptions, data sources, and any other supporting information used in the LCA report.

Week 12 ‐ Presentation : This week is specifically dedicated to the presentation of tables, the data organization of Inventory Analysis, and the understanding and planning of the Sankey Diagram. You will be expected to effectively communicate complex data through clear and concise visual and verbal presentations. The application of the data, as well as the logic and creativity of your diagrams, will also be evaluated. This session will focus your project outcome, emphasizing the accurate organization, clear understanding, and creative presentation of your data and diagrams.

Part B content emphasizes the importance of detailing the data collection and analysis procedures, thoroughly comparing the C2G and C2C scenarios, and insightful interpretations and recommendations. Students should keep these points in mind when completing their LCA reports.

Remember that the layout and content might differ based on the specifics of the article. The infographics and report should follow the general guidelines for scientific communication: clear, concise, accurate, and accessible to the intended audience.

The report is due by week 12 Friday 5pm Darwin time. The assessment guidelines and other administrative details for this task can be found on the Learnline site for this unit.