Life cycle analysis

Because the product-service system is still new, there has yet to be any quantitative modelling of the expected life cycle environmental benefits of the concept applied to a territory. As such, there are no standards or guidelines on how a quantitative assessment should be conducted, and consideration of the development of a robust methodology to assess the life cycle environmental impact is needed. The project provides an opportunity to explore new ground to inform the development of the product-service system.

The initiative stems from a collaboration between LIRIDE and EFC Québec to develop a model to assess the environmental benefits (GHG, etc.) of the product-service system (one of the principles of a circular economy), as well as expand the literature and apply the developed methodology to at least one concrete case.

Global clothing manufacturing more than doubled between 2000 and 2015, and the industry is pursuing its rapid expansion, mainly owing to the fast fashion phenomenon.  The textile industry’s model must therefore be transformed to evolve into a more circular one.

In an effort to counter textile waste in Québec, textile research and innovation centre Vestechpro is seeking to develop knowledge related to the life cycle analysis (LCA) of garments to raise awareness of the importance of adopting better textile consumption habits (source reduction). With that in mind, Vestechpro created a research platform equipped with a defibrator to recycle fabrics, since defibration enables the development of niche applications, including the transformation of textile waste into sculptures.

The project’s objectives are two-fold:

1. Develop knowledge and analysis tools related to the garment life cycle. The results of the LCA and specifically the carbon footprint of a garment and the amount of water consumed will be used to raise awareness among Québec consumers.
2. Transform textile waste for artistic purposes to minimize waste to landfill by creating sculptures from recycled fibres whose characteristics are in line with the concepts of new artistic applications.

As the electrification of devices intensifies, the cumulative global manufacturing of lithium ion (Li-ion) battery cells could increase by fivefold by 2030. At the end of their service life, the batteries may be recovered or become toxic waste. North America therefore has a unique opportunity to secure and build a resilient supply chain based on circular principles. The region has the potential to play a leadership role in the extraction, manufacturing and recovery of critical minerals for Li-ion batteries, including rare minerals and those in short supply (e.g., lithium).

As the geopolitics of Li-ion batteries emerge, the project aims to determine a strategic plan for a regional supply system based on the circular economy. More specifically, it seeks to:

1. Estimate the strengths, opportunities, vulnerabilities and risks of the current Li-ion battery supply chain in North America and among its international suppliers.
2. Conceptualize and map the regional Li-ion battery infrastructure.
3. Model the impact of implementing circular strategies.
4. Identify investment opportunities.

While there is a myriad of ecolabels, most in the tourism sector lack rigor, transparency and standardization. This project therefore aims to study how modularity and eco-efficiency can contribute to the development of measurable ecolabels and circular tourism.

Firstly, the research will operationalize a multidimensional conceptual model using scientific assessment tools to identify opportunities for source reduction as a circular strategy. The concept of modularity seeks to break down complex systems into modules to provide a framework to assess their composition and interdependencies. The approach will support a performance analysis of the tourism system in all its complexity. A case study of a Québec outfitter will make it possible to apply the model and characterize activities to collect primary and secondary data to explore eco-efficient alternatives.

Secondly, the project will develop eco-efficiency indicators based on the principles of modularity by assimilating the carrying capacities in tourism. Following a literature review of load capacities, multicriteria analysis will be used to evaluate the impacts of the scenarios.

Finally, the third objective is to create a framework and guide to implement a type III ecolabel in the tourism sector.