Cradle To Grave

One of the methods by which this balancing might be made easier is Life Cycle Analysis. Applying LCA to waste management is being carried out through a programme of research by the Environment Agency.

"The systematic identification and evaluation of all the environmental benefits and disbenefits that result from a product or function throughout its entire life". As a tool it provides a " A process to evaluate the resource consumption and environmental burdens associated with a product, process, package or activity. The process identifies and quantifies energy and material usage, and releases to the environment and finally evaluates opportunities for environmental improvement"