SUMMARY

With the advent of digital imaging technology, the options available in consumer imaging have increased tremendously. Though many options have emerged, their relative environmental impacts are not clear cut. Simplistically, one might think the use of a digital camera has lesser environmental burden than a film camera because the image produced with the digital camera avoids chemicals in film developing. However, digital cameras require electronics and computers that need electricity, whose production is a contributor to greenhouse gasses like CO2. Assessment of the environmental impacts of the options can provide feedback to decision makers and insights that may reduce environmental impact through product system design. One tool that has been used to relate environmental impacts to products or services is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). LCA, which has been standardized by the International Standards Organization in ISO14000, is used here to evaluate both film and digital imaging systems. Product and service business models are explored with ten different imaging scenarios. Four impact categories (energy use, greenhouse emission, water use and waste generation) across four life cycle phases (upstream, distribution, use, and end of life) are explored. LCA is also evaluated as a tool to facilitate strategic environmental performance issues with new and established business activities. Sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the impact of assumptions made in the assessment. Results indicate that the lowest impact scenarios are Digital Capture to LCD Display for Greenhouse Emissions and Energy Use and Film Capture to Wholesale Print for Water Use and Waste Generation. Highest impacts were seen for Greenhouse Emissions in the Film Capture to Retail Print scenario. In the Energy Use and Water Use category, the Digital Capture to CRT Computer Display was the highest scenario. For Waste Generation, the Digital Capture to Inkjet Print was the highest scenario.