Abstract
This study carried out an assessment using LCA methodology in order to confirm the effectiveness and possible problems of the eco-design guideline that was drawn up by the city gas companies. Specifically, we conducted Life Cycle Inventory Analysis for environmental loads at any stage of production, usage, disposal and recycling. Life Cycle Impact Assessment on five environmental impact categories-resource consumption, global warming, acidification, energy consumption and solid waste-was then conducted and the results were analyzed to study the possible results of incorporating the materials used for household durable goods into the material circulation system, which is an accumulated recycling system. The results of the study were used to identify necessary conditions and possible problems in reducing the environmental load through the life cycle of the products. The study indicated that appliances designed to be lighter in weight have a lower environmental load during their production stage. In some cases, the environmental load was greater for lighter appliances, which indicates that there is a tradeoff between pursuing lighter weight and environmental load. Also, a new LCA methodology that considers dynamic changes of environmental load intensities may be needed in order to better evaluate the products that have a longer lifespan and therefore a significant environmental load during their usage stage.
