GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026
Life-cycle assessment (LCA) for packaging materials
Unlike a standalone carbon calculator or a single-metric eco-rating, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for packaging materials quantifies environmental impacts across the material's complete journey: from raw material extraction through manufacturing, transport, and use to end-of-life disposal or recycling.
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Source: https://www.iso.org/standard/37456.html
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Definition & Explanation
Unlike a standalone carbon calculator or a single-metric eco-rating, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for packaging materials quantifies environmental impacts across the material's complete journey: from raw material extraction through manufacturing, transport, and use to end-of-life disposal or recycling. Each phase is evaluated against indicators such as energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and waste generation. The methodology is governed by ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, providing a standardized basis for comparing packaging alternatives – corrugated board versus plastic film, or single-use versus reusable systems. Shippers and logistics providers turn to LCA results when substantiating sustainability claims or responding to customer due-diligence requirements. Crucially, it covers impact categories well beyond climate change, including acidification, eutrophication, and resource depletion – areas a carbon footprint alone does not capture.
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