A life cycle assessment perspective on some foods

Andrew D Moorelifecyclelogic.com.au © 2013

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PRODUCTION USE END OF

LIFE

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PRODUCTION USE END OF

LIFE

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Myth: “It takes more energy to

produce a solar electric system

than it will ever generate”

MYTH BUSTED

Life cycle of food

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FARM SUPPLIES

FARM

PROCESSING

COOKING &

STORAGE

WASTE

cradle to gate

DISTRIBUTION

Life cycle of food

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FARM SUPPLIES

FARM

PROCESSING

COOKING &

STORAGE

WASTE

grower to grocer

DISTRIBUTION

Life cycle of food

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FARM SUPPLIES

FARM

PROCESSING

COOKING &

STORAGE

WASTE

paddock to plate / farm to fork

DISTRIBUTION

Life cycle of food

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FARM SUPPLIES

FARM

PROCESSING

COOKING &

STORAGE

WASTE

cradle to grave

DISTRIBUTION

9source: http://conference.alcas.asn.au/alcasprogram/Renouf_Review_Agriculture_Paper.pdf

Growth of food LCA studies inAustralia

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To grow each punnet of strawberries it takes…

3 DROPS OF PESTICIDE

170 ML DIESEL

1 TEASPOON OF FERTILISER

14 LITRES WATER

source: doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.12.031

1111

54%14% 26% 7% 0.8

1.2

0.5

FARM

PROCESSING & STORAGE

source: doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.12.031

FARM SUPPLIES

TOTALkg CO2-e/250g

81% 8% 5%6%81%

54%

48%13% 35% 4%48%

Grower to grocer (WA)

DISTRIBUTION

1212

45% 0.2

CRADLE TO FARM GATE

source: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.03.036

TOTALkg CO2-e/250g

Seasonal produce

55%

94% 2% 0.5

SEASONAL FIELDGROWN(1500KM)

YEAR ROUND LOCALGREENHOUSEGROWN

DISTRIBUTION

87%

1313source: http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/

FARM SUPPLIES

TOTALkg CO2-e/250g

How about milk?

0.314%

FARM

57%18%

Italian pasta

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21%37% 4% 38%

PRODUCTION

COOKING

TOTALkg CO2-e/250gFARM

source: http://environdec.com/Articles/EPD/Declaring-the-impact-of-pasta/#.Uos1Pvlgd8E

0.5

DISTRIBUTION

Italian pasta

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21%37% 4% 38%

PRODUCTION

DISTRIBUTION

COOKING

TOTALkg CO2-e/250gFARM

source: http://environdec.com/Articles/EPD/Declaring-the-impact-of-pasta/#.Uos1Pvlgd8E

0.5

Italian pasta

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FARM PRODUCTION

DISTRIBUTION

TOTALkg CO2-e/250gCOOKING

source: http://environdec.com/Articles/EPD/Declaring-the-impact-of-pasta/#.Uos1Pvlgd8E

13%23% 2% 62% 0.9

Italian pasta (imported to W.A.)

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FARM PRODUCTION

DISTRIBUTION

TOTALkg CO2-e/250gCOOKING

source: http://environdec.com/Articles/EPD/Declaring-the-impact-of-pasta/#.Uos1Pvlgd8E

13%23% 2% 62% 0.9

Italian pasta (in W.A.)

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FARM PRODUCTION

DISTRIBUTION

TOTALkg CO2-e/250gCOOKING

source: http://environdec.com/Articles/EPD/Declaring-the-impact-of-pasta/#.Uos1Pvlgd8E

69%9%16% 5% 1.2

Food Waste (UK)

19source: http://www.tescoplc.com/

Disposal

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65%

?

source: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/innovation/policy/lead-market-initiative/files/waste_mng_leaflet_en.pdf

Use a life cycle perspective

Transport can be OK

Eat seasonal produce

Minimise food waste

More research

What can we do?

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www.lifecyclelogic.com.au

Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society(alcas.asn.au)

More information

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