ABSTRACT
The quantitative methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been adopted to analyse, evaluate and recognize the environmental impact of products, especially those used in constructions and concerning the processes executed in their life cycle. LCA essentially relates to the interactions between products and their environment, including the extraction and production of materials and their subsequent utilization until final disposal. The elements taken into consideration are the environmental impacts of the asset being assessed, from the perspectives of ecosystem health, human health and resource depletion. The principles of Life Cycle Design (LCD) provide methodological solutions to achieve the objectives of environmental impact reduction by analysing all the product-system life cycle stages. The concepts of maintenance and sustainability are concurrent: the goal of maintenance is the extension of effectiveness and usability of assets. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project during initiation.
