[INFOGRAPHIC] A 90s throwback to Life Cycle Assessment

The 1990s were loud, colorful, and packed with pop culture moments that still hold a special place in our memories. We fed our Tamagotchis, debated over whether to wear neon windbreakers or plaid flannel, and spent hours quoting Clueless and Friends. But beneath all the nostalgia, the decade also laid the groundwork for today’s sustainability movement. 

Captain Planet was on a mission to stop pollution, and recycling campaigns were popping up in schools and communities. The seeds of environmental awareness were planted, even if they didn’t always take center stage.

Fast forward to today, and sustainability has gone from a background conversation to a pressing issue. But does that mean it has to feel like a never-ending homework assignment? Not at all. Life Cycle Assessment is one of the best tools for understanding environmental impact, and with a little 90s flair, it doesn’t have to feel dry or technical.

In this blog post, we are breaking the Life Cycle Assessment process down like we used to break down song lyrics from our favorite mixtapes.

Goal setting: Like keeping a Tamagotchi alive

Do you remember the responsibility of owning a Tamagotchi? You had to feed it, clean up after it, and make sure it stayed happy. If you ignored it for too long — well, let’s just say things didn’t end well.

Life Cycle Assessment starts the same way — with a clear goal. What are you assessing? A product, a process, an entire supply chain? Without a well-defined objective, the assessment can get messy fast. Just like you wouldn’t randomly press buttons on your Tamagotchi and hope for the best, you can’t go into LCA without a plan.

For example, if you’re analyzing the environmental impact of a Game Boy, you’d want to look at the materials in the casing, the energy used in production, and what happens to all those old cartridges once they’re no longer playable. Starting with the right focus ensures you don’t miss the big picture.

Data collection: The Fresh Prince approach

In The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, everything had to be fresh — fashion, music, and of course, the iconic theme song. But behind every smooth rhyme was careful planning. The same goes for LCA — you need accurate data to get reliable results.

This stage — known as Inventory Analysis — gathers details on everything going in and out of the system. Raw materials, water usage, emissions, transportation — every detail matters. It’s like putting together a playlist: if you only have half the songs, you won’t get the full experience.

Take a product like a pair of 90s-style chunky sneakers. To understand its impact, you need to track the leather or synthetic materials used, the energy required to manufacture them, and the emissions from shipping them across the world. Without all those details, you’re only getting part of the story.

Impact Assessment: Clueless about the environment

Cher Horowitz had a system for everything — fashion, friendships, even matchmaking. She analyzed every detail before making a decision. The Impact Assessment phase of LCA works the same way.

At this stage, all the collected data is analyzed to understand the product’s environmental footprint. This includes carbon emissions, water usage, pollution, and more. It’s the equivalent of Cher deciding what’s a fashion ‘do’ and what’s a total disaster.

For instance, let’s say an LCA study finds that a single-use plastic bottle has a high carbon footprint due to its production and disposal. That’s a signal that alternative materials or reusable designs might be a better choice. Ignoring the results would be, well, totally clueless.

Interpretation: Back to the data future

The magic of Back to the Future wasn’t just the time travel — it was how Marty McFly and Doc Brown worked together to alter the course of history. Interpretation in Life Cycle Assessment works the same way. Once the data is in, it’s time to go into the future and decide what changes need to happen next.

Are there ways to reduce emissions? Can a product’s materials be sourced more sustainably? Should the design be updated to make recycling easier? This stage is where solutions take shape.

Let’s say an analysis of a 90s-style denim jacket shows that cotton farming and dyeing contribute significantly to its footprint. The next step might be sourcing organic cotton or using plant-based dyes to reduce the impact. Just like Marty and Doc figuring out how to make the time machine work, this phase is about collaboration and action to alter the future for the better.

Communication: Pearl Jam-packed with impact

Once the analysis is done, it’s time to share the results — and do it in a way that truly resonates. Pearl Jam didn’t just play music; they told stories that moved people. In the same way, reporting LCA findings shouldn’t be a dry, technical exercise. It should drive action.

If a product’s LCA reveals a high environmental cost, companies can use that data to push for meaningful change — whether that means transitioning to renewable energy, cutting down on packaging waste, or designing for recyclability. The stronger the message, the greater the impact.

Life Cycle Assessment 90s-style

The 90s gave us grunge, dial-up internet, and some truly unforgettable trends. It also gave us the early building blocks of sustainability awareness. Today, we have the tools to take it further.

Life Cycle Assessment helps us rethink how products are made, used, and discarded — kind of like how we once debated whether to keep rocking scrunchies and fanny packs (turns out, they made a comeback). By taking a thoughtful approach to environmental impact, companies can create real change without losing what makes their products great.

Sustainability doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right approach, it can be as engaging as a 90s mixtape — memorable, impactful, and just the right amount of nostalgic.

Want to keep taking a trip back to the ’90s? Dive into the world of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) through the lens of our favorite Friends characters in The one where Life Cycle Assessment meets Friends blog post.