life cycle

I’m studying for my Health & Medical class and don’t understand how to answer this. Can you help me study?

 

Instructions

Analyzing the life cycle of a product is one of the best ways to understand the impact of our consumption on the environment. In this assignment, you will research the series of steps that it takes to deliver a common product to the public and consider how consumers’ choices and behavior can contribute to or diminish environmental sustainability.

Select one of the following manufactured products: a computer, a piece of furniture, or a box of cereal.

Research the life cycle of your selected product using the internet, textbook, University Library, or other resources. Cite and reference at least two sources.

Analyze the environmental impact of the purchase or usage of the product you selected by completing the matrix below. Answer each question in the matrix with a 2- to 3-sentence response. Be sure to provide citations and references for the sources you use. A partial example has been provided for you.

Example

	Name of Product/Process: Cup of Yogurt
Question	Answer
How is the product/process obtained or created? What raw materials are required? How is the product processed or implemented? What resources are needed to do so?	Every cup of yogurt requires sugar, milk, bacteria, and water, but cow’s milk is the most common ingredient. The states that supply the most dairy in the U.S. are California (18.5%) and Wisconsin (14.2%) (The California Dairy Press Room & Resources, 2020). Plastic cups are used to house the yogurt. Petroleum oil is used to make yogurt cups.
	Many different types of milk can be used, but typically, each half cup of yogurt requires half a gallon of milk. The milk is pasteurized, mixed, cooled, starter cultures are added, fruit and flavors are added, and the product is packaged (Milk Facts, n.d.).

Sources:

Milk Facts. (n.d.). Yogurt Production. http://www.milkfacts.info/Milk%20Processing/Yogurt%20Production.htm

The California Dairy Press Room & Resources. (2020). Real California Milk Facts. http://www.californiadairypressroom.com/Press_Kit/Dairy_Industry_Facts

Matrix

	Name of Product/Process: Computer, furniture, or cereal
Question	Answer
How is the product/process obtained or created? What raw materials are required? How is the product processed or implemented? What resources are needed to do so? How is the product delivered or transported to you? What kind of waste is generated? How can it be recycled? List any other observations or insights pertaining to the environmental impact of the product.

 

References