What is a life cycle approach?

A life cycle approach is a holistic method used to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life span, from raw material extraction to production, use, and disposal. This approach helps identify opportunities for improvement, resource efficiency, and sustainability by considering all stages of a product's life cycle. It is often applied in fields like environmental management, product design, and sustainability assessments to promote informed decision-making and minimize negative impacts.