Life cycle analysis is an internationally recognized method of examining the total environmental burden associated with a product and its use. It provides an assessment of the environmental inputs and outputs of a product, beginning with the extraction of the resource and continuing through the manufacturing and associated energy consumption, distribution, use, disposal, recyclability and renewability. This concept is often referred to as a “cradle-to-grave” assessment and the effect a material has upon the environment.

Historically, the forest products industry has been criticized by environmental organizations as an industry harmful to the environment. The perceived deleterious effects are usually focused on the extraction phase of the operation (cutting down the trees). Generally, the entire life cycle of the utilization of our forestland is not taken into consideration when discussing environmental impacts associated with our forests.

Critics of wood products base their arguments on the extraction phase of wood (logging). Vegetation removal occurs with all types of timber harvesting. Opponents contend the process is harmful to wildlife and to water quality. And timber harvesting is an extremely visible process. It's possible, if not probable, there would be less denunciation of the industry if trees were extracted from underground, similar to non-renewable resources (the out-of-sight, out-of-mind scenario).

Non-renewable resources also have adverse side effects when being extracted. Many oil reserves are located in environmentally sensitive areas (Alaska's North Slope and the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., for example). Contaminated water, oil, greases, heavy metals, and toxic materials are side effects of oil drilling. Aluminum, steel and coal (an energy source in the manufacturing process) extracted through open pit mining has problems of solid waste, stream sedimentation, high costs in site rehabilitation, and high acid content in overburden (what remains after extraction).

Manufacturing, the second stage of life cycle analysis, contributes the greatest amount of pollutants. Solids, oil, and high acid content are major pollutants in the cement industry. Steel production contributes huge amounts of particulate emissions: Carbon via fossil fuel burning (coal), the major energy source in steel production, is the single most important contributor to alleged global warming.

Generally, non-renewable resources are transported longer distances than wood (higher energy costs/more pollution) from their point of extraction to the manufacturing site. Mills for trees grown in Oregon tend to be located in the state. Coal, aluminum and iron ore are often shipped hundreds of miles to a central processing facility.

Disposal/recycling constitute stage 4 and 5 of life cycle analysis. Landfills contain a far greater percentage of materials manufactured from non-renewable resources versus those manufactured from wood. Recycling non-renewable resources requires substantially more energy/pollutants than recycling wood fiber. Remember also that wood is our only renewable resource, a point sometimes ignored or forgotten.

It's important to observe the whole picture when discussing the environmental impacts of any raw material utilization. If so, a person might ascribe to the message found on, amongst other places, 1970s bumper stickers: Wood is Good.

Steve Bowers is the forestry extension agent for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County and Lane County. He can be reached by e-mail at steve.bowers@oregonstate.edu or by phone at 672-4461.