The students of the 1st and 2nd year of the Chemistry and Environmental Health Higher VET Course had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of circular economy and the analysis of the life cycle of products, thanks to the visit of Elisabet Amat, Telecommunications Engineer, Master in Industrial Ecology and consultant at Greenbiz.
What is the life cycle of a product?
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental impact of a product from start to finish, considering all stages:
- Extraction of raw materials
- Manufacturing and distribution
- Use and maintenance
- End of life (reuse, recycling or disposal)
In this process, different “footprints” are analyzed to reflect the impacts generated:
- Carbon footprint: measures greenhouse gas emissions.
- Water footprint: Evaluates water consumption.
- Space footprint: Considers the land required, especially relevant in agriculture and livestock farming.
Students worked with everyday examples, such as the life cycle of a shoe or a bag of potato chips, to understand how to measure these impacts and visualize their magnitude.
Circular economy: A model for the future
The circular economy proposes a paradigm shift from a linear model (“use and dispose”) to a circular one, where resources are reused, recycled or transformed into new products. This approach seeks to minimize waste and maximize the value of resources, promoting a more sustainable development.
Greenbiz, the consultancy where Elisabet Amat works, is a benchmark in this field, offering innovative solutions to companies to assess and improve their environmental profile.
The importance of connecting with real experiences
Activities like this are fundamental for our students to understand how to apply theoretical knowledge to professional reality. Elisabet not only shared her experience as a consultant and researcher, but also presented practical tools, such as an APP for students to perform their first experiments in life cycle analysis.
For the 2nd year students, who are already developing projects related to product life cycle, this talk has been a source of inspiration and a boost to improve their work.
Training for a sustainable world
At Somorrostro Training Center, we firmly believe in the importance of preparing future generations to face environmental challenges from a professional and committed perspective. Thanks to initiatives like this one, we contribute to train people capable of leading the change towards a more sustainable future.
Thanks to Elisabet Amat and Greenbiz for sharing their knowledge and motivating our students.
