Comprartive Study For Environmental Influence Of Three Wooden Furniture Based On Life Cycle Assessment

The influence on environment of the furniture is becoming a popular research issue. Thegoal of this study is to assess the influence on environment of three typical wooden furniture,and analyze their environmental friendliness. A assessment model of wooden furniture basedon LCA was designed. The model included three assessment objects: Frame-board-typefurniture, Solid wood furniture and Panel-type furniture. Inventory data was collected from alarge furniture enterprise in Beijing. These three objects were assessed based on LCA usingthe SimaPro7.3software. Primary environmental influence factors and environmental loadvalues of the wooden furniture were obtained after assessment. Assessment results integratingeconomic benefit of three typical wooden furniture were contrasted and analyzed to get thetheir comprehensive advantages. Relevant recommendations for the design and production inthe furniture enterprises were provided. The research achievements as follows:(1) An assessment model of wooden furniture based on LCA was designed. Relevantissues including in the assessment were stated, such as assessment goal, system boundary,functional unit, inventory type, collection and processing of the data, assessment method andsoftware use.(2) Life cycle inventory data was collected and processed from a furniture enterprisebased on inventory analysis method defined in the assessment model.(3) Three wooden furniture were assessed using SimaPro7.3software based onLCA. Assessment results show that environmental load in the parts fabrication phase was themost in the production of the wooden furniture, environmental load in the assemble phase wasthe least. Fossil fuels, Land use, Respiratory inorganic Carcinogens and Climate change werethe primary influence factors on environment in the production of the wooden furniture.Eco-indicator of the Solid wood furniture, Frame-board-type furniture, Panel-type furniturerespectively were157.9Pt,115.3pt and54.3pt.(4) Environmental friendliness of these three wooden furniture were compared. Resultsshow that Panel-type furniture had the best environmental friendliness, Solid wood furniture was the most harmful to the environment. Analysis results in consideration of ecologicalbenefits and economic benefits show that Frame-board-type furniture had the mostcomprehensive advantages in these three wooden furniture.(5) Relevant advices about green design and production of the product for the woodenfurniture enterprise were provided from the raw material, transportation, the arrangement ofthe production.