LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS AND ECOLOGICAL BALANCE - METHODICAL APPROACHES TO ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF PRODUCTS

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a method which allows the development of objective criteria and procedures for the assessment of the environmental impacts of products, based on the total life cycle of the product (from cradle to grave). Packaging materials are taken as an example in order to demonstrate the principle of "eco-balancing" or comparing different products which fulfil the same function. This comparative assessment is the real strength of LCA. The criteria to be used are described and a general way of performing an LCA is presented. As an example, different packaging used for milk is analysed by means of LCA and eco-balancing.