My journey with Life Cycle Assessment

Stepping into the world of LCA

The course was organised into six modules, each building on the other to provide a comprehensive introduction to LCA. From the beginning, I was guided through a self-learning process where I first learned how to pose problems to myself in whatever choice I made, whether in purchasing or producing a product. For example, what is the total carbon footprint (GHG emissions) of the detergent production process? What quantity of CO₂-equivalent is emitted per kg of the detergent produced? I was introduced to the process of defining system boundaries, i.e., I must decide whether to look at a product’s journey from cradle-to-gate or cradle-to-grave. I was quick to realize how powerful this decision is in shaping the outcome of my LCA. The first module also introduced me to openLCA, the software tool that initially appeared challenging for me but soon became a good companion throughout the course.

The scope of consequential thinking

Analyzing consequential LCAs is one of the most impactful lessons that I learned in the LCA course. Unlike traditional attributional LCAs that center on direct processes, consequential LCAs consider the wider ripple effects of decisions. For example, moving from petroleum-based plastics to bio-based alternatives will reduce fossil dependency; however, it can also affect land use, agriculture, and food supply chains. This approach made me realize how interconnected our sustainability choices truly are.

Co-products and allocation – a puzzle

Another vital realization came from analyzing allocation methods for systems with multiple outputs. I worked on examples involving soybean oil and soybean meal, and I learned how choices like mass-based or economic allocation can shift the environmental burden from one product to another. This was not just an academic exercise, as it mirrored challenges in my own research on converting cassava peel into eco-friendly lactic acid. In such processes, co-products like animal feed must be appropriately accounted for; otherwise, the sustainability claims may be misleading.

Turning numbers into meaning

I explored impact categories such as climate change, global warming, ozone depletion, eutrophication, acidification, resource depletion, human toxicity, and resource use. Using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) characterization method, I calculated Global Warming Potential (GWP) values and linked them to broader damage pathways. This was the climax for me because the resulting numbers were no longer abstract but connected to real-world consequences that affect the planet, humans, and biodiversity.

Embracing uncertainty and scenario thinking

Learning to deal with uncertainty was one of the most humbling parts of the LCA course. I found out that no LCA is free of assumptions. However, it is reassuring that through scenario analysis and transparent reporting, results can still guide robust decision-making. This approach deepened my respect for the balance between scientific rigor and practical application.

Real-world applications

The final module was extraordinary as it combined everything together with a case study on the LCA of running shoes. Here, I evaluated how design changes influenced sustainability. Inspired by this, I applied the methodology to my ongoing work on microbial production of lactic acid from cassava peel. By integrating LCA, I was able to look beyond laboratory success and assess the broader environmental performance of this eco-innovation.

Looking ahead

”This course was not just an academic exercise; it was a career-shaping experience.”

I am now inspired to integrate LCA into my research to ensure that innovations in bioremediation and waste valorization are truly sustainable. I am committed to mentoring students and colleagues in using openLCA and adopting evidence-based sustainability practices. I will seek opportunities to engage with policy and industry, using LCA as a decision-support tool for sustainable waste management and corporate strategies. I will leverage international collaborations made during this course to expand the impact of my work through advanced specialization in environmental systems analysis.

Final reflections

Participating in the LCA training has shown me that sustainability is about accountability. From hand dryers to plastic spoons, running shoes, synthetic rubber, electric vehicles, computers, shampoos, and more, the LCA course was an eye-opener. I am now very conscious of the various products around me, with the burden of determining their LCA! Indeed, the world is at that stage where the LCA of every product and process must be determined to assist decision-making for sustainability. Every material, process, and policy carries hidden environmental consequences, and tools like LCA allow us to uncover them. As I look forward, I am committed to applying these insights to design solutions that are not only effective in the lab but also responsible in the world we all share.