Steve Bowers

News
July 3, 2009
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Extension spotlight: Consider all stages of processing Earth's resources before weighing harm, benefits

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 …

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The News-Review Updated Aug 15, 2012 07:01PM Published Jul 3, 2009 04:34PM Copyright 2009 The News-Review. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.