Leather Naturally launched an essential new resource for the leather industry: the Guide to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the Leather Industry.
This guide has been developed to provide fundamental knowledge to all stakeholders in the sector on how to conduct, interpret and collaborate on LCA studies. In addition, the guide has been written in intuitive and simplified language, making LCAs accessible to all audiences. It also has a number of visual features that make it easy to understand and apply to the routine of those interested.
What is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
An LCA is a method for analyzing and understanding the environmental impact of a product across its whole life cycle, from origin, processing, usage, and disposal. In the context of leather production, an LCA might consider factors like cattle farming, tanning, manufacturing, product use, and end-of-life disposal.
What is in the guide?
Leather Naturally’s new guide outlines:
- The importance of LCAs: How they help companies make more sustainable decisions about materials, processes, technologies and suppliers.
- Methodologies and approaches: Different ways of conducting an LCA, their advantages and challenges.
- Data sources: How to collect and use primary and secondary data for a more accurate assessment.
- Results and applications: How to interpret the results of an LCA and apply them to business strategies.
- Challenges and limitations: Critical issues for companies wishing to conduct their own studies.
- Findings from Leather Naturally’s aggregated LCA study: A detailed analysis of the data collected and the sector’s contribution to Higg, in partnership with the Leather Working Group.
With this material, stakeholders in the leather sector will have more information to make informed decisions and improve their sustainability practices.