Seven Steps to Fairness: LCA for Bio-Based & Biodegradable Materials

Seven Steps to Fairness: LCA for Bio-Based & Biodegradable Materials

This webinar presents the findings of a new report exploring how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can be applied more fairly and comprehensively to bio-based and biodegradable materials.

As interest in alternatives to fossil-based materials grows, traditional LCA approaches often fail to fully capture environmental impacts that are unique or especially relevant to bio-based systems. During this session, the report’s framework will be introduced, highlighting seven additional impact categories designed to improve transparency and comparability between fossil-based and bio-based materials.

The webinar will walk participants through these seven categories:

• Biodegradability – how and under what conditions materials break down
• Bioaccumulation – the potential for substances to build up in living organisms
• Persistence – how long chemicals remain in the environment
• Microplastic formation – the likelihood of materials generating microplastics
• Biodiversity impact – implications for ecosystems and species diversity
• Litter – risks of improper disposal and related environmental effects
• Biogenic global warming potential – distinguishing recently absorbed biogenic carbon from fossil carbon emissions

Attendees will gain insight into why these impact categories matter, how they complement existing LCA methodologies, and how they can support more balanced sustainability decision-making across material value chains.

This webinar is intended for sustainability professionals, LCA practitioners, material developers, policymakers, and others interested in improving environmental assessments of emerging material solutions.