Teacher Directions: Life cycle Assessment Matching Game
Grade Level: Junior High or High School
Length of Activity: Two 30 minute play sessions
Purpose:
 Encourage students to think about their daily product choices and
how that choice could influence the environment.
 Introduce students to environmental areas of concern and the units to
measure them.
Suggestions for Assembling Matching Game
Note: Setting up the game initially will be time consuming, but it can be used
year after year. A teaching assistant could do this part.
1. Determine how many sets you need. Students may work in groups of
2, 3, or 4.
2. Print off enough cards, a direction sheet, and a reference sheet for
each group. Each student will need their own data sheet.
3. Cut out each card and fold bottom part of card up to the dotted line.
4. Tape or glue the non-folded portion of each card to a 4 x 6 inch index
card to increase durability (please see pictures on next page of
card set up).
5. Use a rubber band to secure each set of cards
6. Place card set, direction sheet, and reference sheet in a sealed bag or
container.
Day 1: 30 Minutes
 Form student groups and pass out matching game sets.
 Read over directions as a class.
 Pass out data sheets.
 Pick one matching set to do as an example. Discuss the materials
necessary and waste produced during each product’s life cycle.
Example Idea: Newspaper and Web Based Newspaper Cards
1. Go through data sheet with students by first having them
write in the title of the cards.
2. Enter the functional unit: “Consumption of newspaper during one
year by one unique reader.” Review why the functional unit
must match. The choices are different, but they can be
compared using the functional unit as a reference point.
3. Going into the next category, list raw materials and waste for
each.
Newspaper: Raw Materials = paper, trees, ink
Waste = recycle the newspaper
Web Based Newspaper: Raw Materials = electricity, computer parts
Waste = none


4. Write down an environmental impact from the cards. Students
can record energy used, greenhouse gas, or human toxicity.
5. The better choice is the Web Based Newspaper because it is
less impactful for all three categories.
Give students time to determine the better choice and discuss as a
class.
Have students begin to play the game.
Day 2: 30 Minutes
 Very briefly review the directions from the previous day.
 Have students form new groups or work in same groups and begin play.
 They may use the same data sheet from the first day of play and add
new matches to the handout.
 During the last 5 minutes, discuss as a class:
6. Did any of the choices surprise you?
7. Are there any terms you still don’t understand?
8. What did you learn?
Picture 1: The card is attached to a 4 x 6 inch index card with tape up to
the dotted line. The environmental impacts (data) are folded up to the
dotted line so students can guess which choice is less impactful.
Picture 2: Both cards are a match because the functional units are the
same. The Newspaper card shows how each card would be used during the
game. The Web Based Newspaper card shows by my finger where the tape
would end.
CLASS COPY!!! CLASS COPY!!!
Life Cycle Assessment Matching Game Student Directions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Work in a group of at least two students (maximum 4 students).
Obtain a set of cards.
Place all cards face down on a hard surface.
Pick a student to start (if having difficulty, the student who is the
youngest will go first). Take turns going clockwise.
5. The first student will turn over two cards. The goal is to make a
match which means that the functional units are the same.
6. If there is no match, it is the next player’s turn.
7. If you made a match, fill in the game data sheet for that pair.
8. When finished writing the information, fold down the game cards.
Examine the data to determine if the product you decided on was the
better choice.
9. If your choice was correct, you may keep the cards. If your choice
was incorrect, return the cards to the game.
10. The next player may pick up your returned pair.
11. Remember to check the reference sheet if you do not understand
some of the terms.
12. Continue taking turns, matching cards and entering data until all cards
have been matched.
13. The student with the most number of matches is the official life cycle
assessment champion.
14. Discuss your data sheets as a group. Make sure to share what the
better product choices are and why.
Clean Up Directions




Make sure all cards are folded up to the dotted line.
Rubber band all cards together.
Put cards, reference sheet, and directions in the plastic bag.
Seal plastic bag and return.
Title: Newspaper
Functional Unit: “Consumption of
newspaper during one year by
one unique reader”
Title: Web Based Newspaper
Functional Unit: “Consumption of
newspaper during one year by
one unique reader”
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Used: 850 MJ
Energy Used:350 MJ
Global Warming Potential: 28 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential: 14 kg CO2 eq
Human Toxicity : 6.2 kg DCB eq
Human Toxicity: 3.7 kg DCB eq
Title: Green Bag
104 trips to the store (lasts 2 years)
Functional Unit: “Household carrying
about 70 grocery items home from a
supermarket each week for 52 weeks”
Title: Plastic Grocery Bag
HDPE (High-density polyethylene) Single
Use (1 trip to the store)
Functional Unit: “Household carrying
about 70 grocery items home from a
supermarket each week for 52 weeks”
_______________________
Environmental Impact
All values are per the functional unit!
_______________________
Environmental Impact
All values are per the functional unit!
Green House Gas: 1.95 kg CO2
Green House Gas: 6.13 kg CO2
Eutrophication: 0.00126 kg PO4- eq
Eutrophication: 0.00246 kg PO4- eq
Abiotic Depletion: 0.023 kg Sb eq
Abiotic Depletion: 0.102 kg Sb eq
Title: Toyota Camry (Gasoline)
Functional Unit: “Passenger car (1-5
persons plus luggage) 15 years with
300,000 km”
Title: Volkswagen (Diesel)
Functional Unit: “Passenger car (1-5
persons plus luggage) 15 years with
300,000 km”
_______________________
_______________________
Environmental Impact
All values are per the functional unit!
Environmental Impact
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: 1062 GJ
Energy Use: 479 GJ
Green House Gas: 21.4 kg CO2
Green House Gas: 7.9 kg CO2
Title: Glass Bottle (250ml)
Functional Unit: “Carbonated soft drink
containers holding 1,000L”
Title: Plastic Bottle (2L)
Functional Unit: “Carbonated soft drink
containers holding 1,000L”
_______________________
_______________________
Environmental Impact
All values are per the functional unit!
Environmental Impact
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: 10494.19 MJ
Energy Use: 13060.76 MJ
Water Consumption: 42463.33 g
Water Consumption: 45760.43 g
Solid Waste: 11965.91 cm3
Solid Waste: 31006.36 cm3
Title: Cold Climate House Design
(Steel & Wood Frame)
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Functional Unit: “Average U.S. new
house residential construction (2,225 ft2)”
Title: Hot & Humid House Design
(Concrete & Wood Frame)
Atlanta, Georgia
Functional Unit: “Average U.S. new
house residential construction (2,225 ft2)”
____________ ___________
_______________________
Environmental Impact
All values are per the functional unit!
Environmental Impact
All values are per the functional unit!
Global Warming Potential:
83,873 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
49,371 kg CO2 eq
Energy Use: 1,415 GJ
Energy Use: 859 GJ
Solid Waste: 27,407 kg
Solid Waste: 18,711 kg
Title: Monterey Bay Aquarium Tank
Fiber-reinforced Plastics Design
Functional Unit: “20 years of holding
seawater and marine life”
Title: Monterey Bay Aquarium Tank
Steel-reinforced Concrete Design
Functional Unit: “20 years of holding
seawater and marine life”
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Eutrophication: 11.75 kg PO4- eq
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Eutrophication: 28.02 kg PO4- eq
Global Warming Potential:
16,552.51 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
36,497.22 kg CO2 eq
Summer Smog : 7.34 kg C2H4 eq
Winter Smog : 841.76 kg SPM eq
Summer Smog : 18.61 kg C2H4 eq
Winter Smog : 3,366.19 kg SPM eq
Title: Carbon Fiber Bike Frame
Functional Unit: “To cycle a bike over a
30 year period”
Title: Steel Bike Frame
Functional Unit: “To cycle a bike over a
30 year period”
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Eutrophication: 0.09 kg PO4- eq
Eutrophication: 0.01 kg PO4- eq
Global Warming Potential:
114 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
51 kg CO2 eq
Energy Use : ~ 3,300 MJ
Energy Use: ~ 400 MJ
Solid Waste: ~ 5.5 kg
Solid Waste : ~ 17.5 kg
Title: Beef Steak
Functional Unit: “2 kg of meat during a
meal”
Title: Fresh Chicken
Functional Unit: “2 kg of meat during a
meal”
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Eutrophication: 7,250 g NO3 eq
Eutrophication: 413 g NO3 eq
Global Warming Potential:
79,300 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
6,310 kg CO2 eq
Acidification : 798 g SO 2
Acidification: 95.7 g SO2
Land Use: 105 m2
Land Use: 10 m2
Title: Baking Rolls at Home
(Conventional Oven)
Functional Unit: “A family that eats rolls
every Sunday for a year ”
Title: Buying Rolls at a Local Bakery
Transportation Passenger Car (5km)
Functional Unit: “A family that eats rolls
every Sunday for a year ”
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Eutrophication: 31.2 g NO3 eq
Eutrophication: 58.6 g NO3 eq
Global Warming Potential:
818 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
3,940 kg CO2 eq
Acidification : 2.98 g SO2
Acidification: 22.8 g SO2
Title: Plastic Cups (Polystyrene)
Functional Unit: “Hosting a party with
124 guests who have 3 drinks (16 fluid
ounces each)”
Title: Aluminum Cans
Functional Unit: “Hosting a party with
124 guests who have 3 drinks (16 fluid
ounces each)”
_______________________
_______________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: ~ 800 MJ
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: ~ 900 MJ
Global Warming Potential:
~ 8.9 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
~ 50 kg CO2 eq
Solid Waste : ~ 0.14 kg
Solid Waste : ~ 8.8 kg
Title: Reusable Plastic Basket
(High-Density Polyethylene)
Functional Unit: “One meal served”
Title: Single Use Plastic Plate
(Polystyrene)
Functional Unit: “One meal served”
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: 2,495 MJ
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: 8,932 MJ
Global Warming Potential:
112 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
347 kg CO2 eq
Solid Waste : 2.85 kg
Solid Waste : 29.6 kg
Summer Smog : 0.162 kg C2H4 eq
Winter Smog : 0.626 kg SPM eq
Summer Smog : 1.24 kg C2H4 eq
Winter Smog : 4.05 kg SPM eq
Title: Single-Use Plastic Cup
(200ml)
Functional Unit: “Serving 1,000 L of
beverages with one use of the cup”
Title: Reusable Plastic Cup
(300ml)
Functional Unit: “Serving 1,000 L of
beverages with one use of the cup”
___________________
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: 21.03 kWh
Energy Use: 97.2 kWh
Greenhouse Gas: 0.63 kg CO2
Greenhouse Gas: 5.95 kg CO2
Polypropylene (Plastic) Used : 16.50 kg
Polypropylene (Plastic) Used : 166.67 kg
What could be done to make the
reusable cup a better choice??
What could be done to make the
reusable cup a better choice??
Title: Plastic Recycling with Oil
Production
Functional Unit:
“Recycling 1 kg of Plastics”
Title: Plastic Recycling by
Incineration with Heat Recovery
Functional Unit:
“Recycling 1 kg of Plastics”
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Eutrophication: 3.75 x 10-4 kg PO4 eq
Eutrophication: 1.45 x 10-4 kg PO4 eq
Greenhouse Gas: 0.731 kg CO2
Greenhouse Gas: 2.92 kg CO2
Acidification : 2.46 x 10-3 kg SO4
Acidification : 1.16 x 10-3 kg SO4
Title: Aluminum & Wooden Window
Functional Unit: “75 Years of Service
from a Standard Window (600mm by
1200mm)”
Title: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Plastic Window
Functional Unit: “75 Years of Service
from a Standard Window (600mm by
1200mm)”
___________________
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Eutrophication: 428 kg PO4 eq
Eutrophication: 551 kg PO4 eq
Global Warming Potential:
498 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
529 kg CO2 eq
Acidification : 4.03 kg SO2
Acidification : 4.88 kg SO2
Title: Concrete and Brick Wall
Construction
Functional Unit: “Wall Assembly
Comparison”
Title: Steel Stud and Stucco Wall
Construction
Functional Unit: “Wall Assembly
Comparison”
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: 237.93 MJ
Energy Use: 90.73 MJ
Greenhouse Gas: 9.79 kg CO2
Greenhouse Gas: 5.02 kg CO2
Solid Waste : 2.81 kg
Solid Waste : 1.04 kg
Title: CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
Desktop Computer Screen (17”)
Functional Unit: “One Desktop Computer
Display Over Its Life”
Title: LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
Desktop Computer Screen (15”)
Functional Unit: “One Desktop Computer
Display Over Its Life”
___________________
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Energy Use: 20,800 MJ
Energy Use: 2,840 MJ
Global Warming Potential:
695 kg CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
593 kg CO2 eq
Acidification : 5.25 kg SO2
Acidification : 2.96 kg SO2
Title: Electric Hand Dryer
Functional Unit: “Lifetime Service of 5
Years for Drying Hands”
Title: Paper Towels
Functional Unit: “Lifetime Service of 5
Years for Drying Hands”
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Eutrophication: 1.2 kg PO4 eq
Eutrophication: 1.7 kg PO4 eq
Summer Smog : 0.4 kg C2H4 eq
Summer Smog : 3.0 kg C2H4 eq
Acidification : 10.2 kg SO2
Acidification : 12.4 kg SO2
Title: Organic Farming Wheat
Functional Unit: “1 kg of Crop Grown
and Harvested”
Title: Organic Farming Oats
Functional Unit: “1 kg of Crop Grown
and Harvested”
___________________
___________________
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Environmental Impact:
All values are per the functional unit!
Land Use: 2.2 m2 per year
Land Use: 3.3 m2 per year
Global Warming Potential:
280 g CO2 eq
Global Warming Potential:
390 g CO2 eq
Summer Smog : 0.22 g C2H4 eq
Summer Smog : 0.25 g C2H4 eq
Life Cycle Assessment Matching Game Reference Sheet
Energy Terms: The joule (J) is the SI unit for energy
 1 J can be described as the energy required to lift a small apple 20 cm straight up.
 MJ (megajoule) = 106 J
 GJ (gigajoule) = 109 J
More Metric Conversions
1 mile
= 1.6 km (kilometers)
1 km
= 1,000 m (meters)
1m
= 1,000 mm (millimeters)
1 L (liter)
= 1,000 ml (milliliters)
0.45 kg (kilogram) = 1 pound
Equivalency (eq)
 a way to compare how damaging emissions are to the air
 scientists will pick one pollutant, like CO2, when looking at greenhouse gases and
use it to compare the toxicity of other substances
 the pollutant could be chosen because it is the most abundant or because scientists
know the most about it
 the pollutant is a reference point
Human Toxicity Potential
 calculated value that shows the potential harm to humans from a certain chemical
released into the environment
 DCB eq = Dichlorobenzene (organic compound C6H4Cl2), can be used as a
disinfectant, deodorant, and pesticide
Green House Gas (GHG)
 gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation and trap heat from the sun
 some common gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and ozone
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
 adding up the affects of ALL the green house gases in the atmosphere and
reporting it as a single value
 CO2 is used as an equivalency (eq) and considered to be 1
 CH4 (methane) has a value of 25
 N2O (nitrous oxide) has a value of 298
 by multiplying each individual gas by its value and adding them together,
scientists get the GWP
Abiotic Depletion
 consumption of non-living resources (coal, oil, gas)
 Sb is the element Antimony which is a flaky, crystalline metal that is toxic
Eutrophication
 an increase in chemical nutrients from compounds containing nitrogen or
phosphorus
 may happen on land or in water
 can be due to natural causes or human activities
 can lead to overgrowth of plants like algae which reduces the oxygen content at
the bottom of the lake and may kill off the organisms underneath
 oxygen content at the top of the lake will actually increase because of
photosynthesis
 PO4- (Phosphate)
 NO3 (Nitrate ion)
Land Use
 m2 (meters squared) = unit used to measure area of a piece of land
Acidification
 often caused by pollution like burning fossil fuels and acid rain
 the lowering of the pH of water or soil making it acidic (pH of 7 is neutral)
 SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide)
 SO4 (Sulfate Ion)
Summer Smog (Photochemical Smog)
 smog as a word is a combination of smoke and fog
 common in major cities because of pollutants, mainly ozone, in the atmosphere
 usually occurs between April and October
 caused by the accumulation of ozone (O3) from the sun’s heat in the troposphere
 causes a health hazard to people
 kg C2H4 eq (Ethylene) - - most produced organic compound in the world, when
combined with other elements, it is used to make plastic products, contains a
carbon double bond
Winter Smog (Acid Smog)
 formed near the ground in cold temperatures
 the pollutants do not spread out because of the warmer temperatures in the upper
atmosphere
 can cause breathing problems and eye irritations
 kg SPM eq (Suspended Particulate Matter)
Bibliography
Cards: Newspaper and Magazine
Title: Screening Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Printed, Web Based and Tablet
E-paper Newspaper
Authors: Asa Moberg, Martin Johansson, Goran Finnveden and Alex Jonsson
Stockholm, 2009
http://www.csc.kth.se/sustain/publications/reportfiles/sus_2007_1_moberg_et_al_report_
updated.pdf
Cards: Green Bag and Plastic Grocery Bag
Title: LCA of Degradable Plastic Bags
Authors: Karli James and Tim Grant
Center for Design at RMIT University
http://envent.rmit.edu.au/content/download/232/1787/files/
Cards: Toyota Camry (Gasoline) and Volkswagen (Diesel)
Title: Total Life-Cycle Assessment of PEM Fuel Cell Car
Author: Bent Sorensen
Roskilde University, Energy & Environment Group Denmark
http://ptech.pcd.go.th/p2/userfiles/consult/5/LCA%209.pdf
Cards: Glass Bottle and Plastic Bottle
Title: LCA as a Tool for Environmental Management: A Life Cycle Inventory Case Study
from the Greek Market
Author: D. A. Georgakellos
University of Piraeus
http://www.gnest.org/Journal/Vol4_no2_3/GEORGAKELLOS.pdf
Cards: Cold Climate and Hot / Humid House Design
Title: CORRIM: Life-Cycle Environmental Performance of Renewable Building
Materials
Authors: Bruce Lippke, Jim Wilson, John Perez-Garcia, Jim Bowyer, and Jamie Meil
June 2004
http://maineghg.raabassociates.org/Articles/CORRIM%20June%202004.pdf
Cards: Monterey Bay Aquarium Tank Fiber-reinforced Plastics Design and Steelreinforced Concrete Design
Title: LCA Comparison of Two Aquarium Tank Systems: Fiber-Reinforced Plastic and
Concrete
Authors: Evrydiki Fekka, Forest Flager, Nick Frieden, Tom Mercer, and Sarah RussellSmith
12/5/08 CEE 266: Life Cycle Analysis of Complex Systems
Stanford University Dr. Michael Lepech
Cards: Carbon Fiber and Steel Bike Frame
Title: Life Cycle Analysis Steel vs. Carbon Fiber Bike Frame
Authors: Subhan Ali, Charlotte Bonneville, Mark Jennings, Lauren Lauck, and Robert
Plummer
12/5/08 CEE 266: Life Cycle Analysis of Complex Systems
Stanford University Dr. Michael Lepech
Cards: Beef Steak and Fresh Chicken / Baking Rolls at Home and Buying Rolls at a
Local Bakery
Software: SimaPro Multi-User 7.1 Classroom Use
Product Ecology Consultants (Pre)
www.pre.nl
June 2008
Cards: Plastic Cups and Aluminum Cans
Title: Life Cycle Analysis Symposium Paper: Sustainable Party
Authors: Seth Fink, John Joseph, Daniel Payne, and Katherine Rostkowski
12/5/08 CEE 266: Life Cycle Analysis of Complex Systems
Stanford University Dr. Michael Lepech
Cards: Reusable Plastic Basket and Single Use Plastic Plate
Title: Striving for Sustainability at Stanford’s Axe and Palm Restaurant: A Life Cycle
Analysis
Authors: Teddy Kisch, Deirdre McShane, Nicole Nitsche, and Meg Waltner
12/5/08 CEE 266: Life Cycle Analysis of Complex Systems
Stanford University Dr. Michael Lepech
Cards: Single-Use Plastic Cup (200ml) and Reusable Plastic Cup (300ml)
Title: Environmental Evaluation of Single-Use and Reusable Cups
Authors: Nuria Garrido and M. Dolors Alvarez del Castillo
Technical University of Catalonia
June 2007
http://www.springerlink.com/content/x4658g3436577005/fulltext.pdf
"Dichlorobenzene."Encyclopedia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopdia Britannica Online.
Jul. 2009 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/162062/dichlorobenzene>.
Cards: Plastic Recycling with Oil Production and Plastic Recycling by Incineration
with Heat Recovery
Title: A Study on the Eco-efficiencies for Recycling Methods of Plastics Wastes
Authors: Tak Hur, Song-Tack Lim, Hye-Jin Lee
Dept. of Material Chemistry & Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
www.lcacenter.org/InLCA-LCM03/Hur-presentation.ppt
Cards: Aluminum & Wood Window and PVC Window
Title: Life Cycle Analysis of Windows for North American Residential Market
FPInnovations Forintex, Canada
http://valuetowood.ca/imports/pdf/en/r-d_summaries/2009/RDS%202009-08-ELCA%20of%20windows.pdf
Cards: Concrete and Brick Wall Construction and Steel Stud and Stucco Wall
Construction
Title: Life Cycle Assessment Tools
Authors: John Carmody and Wayne Trusty
InformeDesign
http://www.informedesign.umn.edu/_news/mar_v05r-p.pdf
Cards: CRT and LCD Desktop Computer Screen
Title: Desktop Computer Displays A Life-Cycle Assessment
Authors: Maria Leet Socolof, Jonathan G. Overly, Lori E. Kincaid, and Jack R. Geibig
University of Tennessee Center for Clean Products and Clean Technologies
December 2001
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/comp-dic/lca/toc1.pdf
Cards: Electric Hand Dryer and Paper Towels
Title: Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment Study
Prepared by Environmental Resources Management
August 2001
http://www.greenbiz.com/files/document/O16F20922.pdf
Cards: Organic Farming Wheat and Oats
LCA Food Database
http://www.lcafood.dk/
March 2007