Life Cycle Assessment and Recycling Quiz
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5 questions, one answer each
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1. Which of the following stages is NOT included in a life cycle assessment (LCA)?
- A. Extracting and processing raw materials
- B. Manufacturing and packaging
- C. Advertising and marketing campaigns
- D. Disposal at end of life
2. What is the primary purpose of carrying out a life cycle assessment?
- A. To calculate the cost of manufacturing a product
- B. To compare the environmental impact of different products or processes across all stages of their life
- C. To determine the selling price of a product
- D. To measure the durability of materials used
3. Why is aluminium particularly valuable to recycle compared to other metals?
- A. It is easier to melt than other metals
- B. Its extraction by electrolysis requires a large amount of electrical energy
- C. It does not corrode or tarnish over time
- D. It is the rarest metal found in the Earth's crust
4. Which limitation of life cycle assessments is most difficult to address?
- A. Calculating the energy used during manufacturing
- B. Determining the mass of raw materials extracted
- C. Quantifying environmental impacts such as loss of biodiversity and visual pollution, which require value judgements
- D. Measuring the weight of packaging materials used
5. A company is comparing two beverage containers using LCA: a glass bottle and an aluminium can, both with the same capacity. The glass bottle is heavier but recyclable indefinitely. The aluminium can is lighter but requires significant energy to extract from ore. Considering recycling benefits, which statement is most accurate?
- A. The glass bottle is always better because it can be recycled indefinitely without degradation
- B. The aluminium can is better because the energy saving from recycling aluminium outweighs the energy cost of extraction
- C. Both containers have identical environmental impacts over their life cycle
- D. The glass bottle requires more energy to recycle, making the aluminium can the only sustainable option