An LCA Consultant Faces a Dilemma: Industrial Ecology vs. Soda Can Packaging Options Report (Assessment)

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Activity Description

Being a life-cycle assessment consultant means helping industries provide the population with the goods that are one hundred percent ecologically clean. Therefore, when it comes to the decision on the soda cans packaging options, an LCA consultant’s involvement is crucial. In the case in question, it is necessary to choose the most reasonable and ecologically safe packaging option possible.

Stakeholder and His/Her Motivations

As for the stakeholder, the latter is going to be represented by the clientele. In the given case, the target client is Dr. Pepper. Since the company seems to be suffering from a severe competition, according to the recent new (Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, 2012), Dr. Pepper might use a bit of product redesigning to attract more customers.

The Functional Unit

Since it is necessary to evaluate the performance of the given product system, i.e., a soda can and its shelf time, it will be most reasonable to consider the volume of a soda can. In the given case, the volume is not restricted; it is important to mention, though, that the bottles over 2 l should be designed in such a way so that carrying them should be easy enough.

Geographical System Boundaries

It seems that in the case of developing a soda can design, one does not need to be concerned with any spatial restrictions. Therefore, there should be no restriction concerning the geographical system.

Study’s Temporal Boundaries

When developing the design of the beverage bottle, one must consider the shelf life of the soda bottle. In the given context, it is obvious that plastic does not seem as viable as, say, aluminum. However, it is important that plastic, in contrast to the aluminum can, can be re-used as a container for other types of liquid and, therefore, has longer temporal boundaries (Wald, 2012).

Study’s Conceptual Boundaries

Since bottles of literally all shapes are recyclable, the key idea at the given point will be to offer the customer a can that will serve its purpose best. Therefore, the traditional bottle shape seems to be the most reasonable design decision. It is essential, however, that the buyer could use and recycle the bottle easily, which would be a problem once a bottle is shaped in an unusual way.

Choosing between a traditional round plastic bottle and a square one, one might consider the latter a better idea, since it is more stable and, therefore, more practical (Noe, 2012).

Activities

Object design

This step starts with the search for the companies that will supply raw material (plastic) and ends up with the process of soda can design.

Object production

Soda cans are created, marketed and sold to the soda producing companies.

Disposal and recycling

Soda cans are collected by a recycling company and are recycled to produce more soda cans.

Capital goods

In the process of soda bottles creation, such capital goods as the required equipment, the trucks to deliver raw materials, as well as the money for the promotion campaign are going to be included.

Major Flows

Speaking of flaws, such issues as CO2 emissions, energy and solid waste must be mentioned. In addition, it is important to mention that it takes long for plastic to decompose (U.S. National Park Service, n. d.), which means that, if not recycled, it poses a considerable threat to the environment.

Reference List

Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (2012). Web.

Noe, R. (2012). . Web.

National Park Service (n. d.). Time it takes for garbage to decompose in the environment. Web.

Wald, W. (2012). . Web.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2019, June 30). An LCA Consultant Faces a Dilemma: Industrial Ecology vs. Soda Can Packaging Options. https://ivypanda.com/essays/an-lca-consultant-faces-a-dilemma-industrial-ecology-vs-soda-can-packaging-options/

Work Cited

"An LCA Consultant Faces a Dilemma: Industrial Ecology vs. Soda Can Packaging Options." IvyPanda, 30 June 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/an-lca-consultant-faces-a-dilemma-industrial-ecology-vs-soda-can-packaging-options/.

References

IvyPanda. (2019) 'An LCA Consultant Faces a Dilemma: Industrial Ecology vs. Soda Can Packaging Options'. 30 June.

References

IvyPanda. 2019. "An LCA Consultant Faces a Dilemma: Industrial Ecology vs. Soda Can Packaging Options." June 30, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/an-lca-consultant-faces-a-dilemma-industrial-ecology-vs-soda-can-packaging-options/.

1. IvyPanda. "An LCA Consultant Faces a Dilemma: Industrial Ecology vs. Soda Can Packaging Options." June 30, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/an-lca-consultant-faces-a-dilemma-industrial-ecology-vs-soda-can-packaging-options/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "An LCA Consultant Faces a Dilemma: Industrial Ecology vs. Soda Can Packaging Options." June 30, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/an-lca-consultant-faces-a-dilemma-industrial-ecology-vs-soda-can-packaging-options/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1