LCA provides a unique approach to managing and relating the environmental impacts of a product to its supply chain.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides a unique approach to managing and relating the environmental impacts of a product to its supply chain and life cycle. It requires a thorough investigation of processes across a product’s Life Cycle. At each stage of the product’s life, resource consumption results in environmental impacts.
By summing the inputs of resource consumption, and outputs of environmental emissions at each life cycle stage, it’s possible to show the environmental impact of a product from cradle to grave. Where applicable, this enables environmental management efforts to be successfully directed to reduce a product’s impacts.
A Life Cycle Assessment will...
- Highlight the key impacts over the life cycle of a product or process in a simple format that meets sustainability priorities.
- Enable confident reporting on the environmental performance of products and processes.
- Analyse comparisons with alternative products and processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does an LCA cost?
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Costs vary depending on the scope and complexity of any LCA project. Simple streamlined LCAs can be completed relatively affordably. Complex comparative LCAs take more time and will incur more cost. We can usually offer a solution to meet most clients’ cost requirements.
- How long does an LCA take?
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Typically an LCA project will take between three-to-six months from kick-off to completion. The majority of this time will usually be spent gathering the primary data on the products / processes being studied. This is followed by LCA modelling using LCA software and preparation of the LCA report.
- Why should I prepare an LCA?
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There are various reasons for needing to produce and LCA. Sometimes there are external drivers, such as to meet a compliance or customer requirement. More often though, LCA is used as a tool to help with internal decision making, for example which packaging to use, or ‘what-if’ scenarios (e.g. what if Scenario A was replaced with Scenario B) etc.
Why choose Blue Marble?
- We are life cycle assessment consultants with extensive experience in sustainability and carbon footprinting.
- We offer a range of LCA services including streamlined LCA, comparative LCA through to third-party verified LCA in accordance with ISO 14044.
- Experience in managing the sustainability and carbon impacts of a broad range of businesses, their supply chains and products.
Case Studies

Life Cycle Assessment of Neuron’s N3 Dockless e-Scooter
Sep 02, 2024
In 2022, Neuron Mobility commissioned Blue Marble to conduct a life cycle assessment of its N3 e-scooter – purpose built to a commercial grade, specifically for the sharing economy.

AQA – using Life Cycle Assessment to support decision making around the future of examinations in England
Sep 02, 2024
AQA is an examination board providing GCSE, A-levels and support. In 2023, AQA commissioned Blue Marble to conduct a life cycle assessment study comparing a traditional paper-based examination with a digital on-screen examination.

Frobishers chooses a life cycle assessment (LCA) for products
Jul 04, 2024
South West drinks brand Frobishers has an ambitious plan to make its products carbon neutral. Managing director David Pearce explains why it has chosen to carry out a life cycle assessment (LCA) with Blue Marble.
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