Abstract:

The problem addressed in the paper is the assessment the environmental impact of the process of handling returned products with LCA use. The focus is on identifying different methodological approaches to the assessment that are originating from three major assessment areas: waste management, recycling and re-manufacturing. The differentiating factors for the assessment are defined as consequential or attributional approach, approach to allocation and system boundaries settling scheme. The major decision factors in the case of the developing the assessment of returned products handling scenario are defined as: (1) the scope of the study, (2) stakeholders and executive actors of the study  and (3) data accessibility and coverage.