My group uses the principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impacts of products and identify ways to reduce those impacts.
Life cycle thinking evaluates environmental impacts throughout the supply chain – from the extraction of materials, through production, use, and ultimate disposal. We use a variety of analytical techniques on a wide range of topics.
Major Themes
Our group conducts research on a wide range of sustainability topics, across multiple sectors. I’m always looking for interesting research questions in topics and areas that are not well explored. These research themes highlight some of the work my group has done, but are not comprehensive.
A full list of publications can be found here.
Food and Agriculture
We conduct research on the environmental impacts of food production, distribution, and food waste. Particular areas of interest include climate smart agriculture, introduction of the cold chain in developing economies, and addressing the challenge of food waste.
Consumers and Products
Our group analyzes the environmental impacts of products to identify potential changes that will be most effective. We work with businesses to reduce impacts and create sustainable product designs.
Consumers also play a major role in the environmental impacts of products. We seek to understand how consumer characteristics and behavior influence sustainability and the most effective actions to reduce impact
Plastic
Plastic, particularly plastic packaging, is a major sustainability concern. Our group explores the environmental impacts of single-use plastic, seeks ways to reduce those impacts, and attempts to combat common misperceptions associated with plastic.
Advancing Sustainability Methods
Methods to conduct quality sustainability analyses are still developing. Our group creates methods and tools to improve the quality of life cycle research.
Note: This website contains links to pre-publication copies of published research articles in accordance with copywrite agreements. Fully formatted pdf versions of research articles can be obtained via the publishers’ websites.
“We need all sorts of things to run our lives. But the greener alternative is never going to be as green as the thing we don’t buy.”
—WEMU Morning Edition interview
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