Before the Bin: impact of consumption habits

About

Waste does not begin when an item is thrown in the bin—it starts much earlier, with the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing processes, packaging, transportation, and consumption. In this engaging and interactive workshop, participants will explore the concept of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and discover the environmental impacts associated with everyday products long before they reach the waste stream.

Through practical activities and real-world examples, attendees will examine how products use natural resources, consume energy, generate greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to environmental impacts throughout their entire life cycle. Participants will gain a better understanding of the hidden environmental costs of the items they purchase and learn how informed choices can help reduce waste and support a more sustainable future.

This workshop empowers individuals to think beyond disposal and consider the full journey of a product—from resource extraction to end-of-life management.

Participants will:

• Learn the principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Explore the environmental impacts of everyday products
• Understand resource depletion, energy use, and carbon emissions associated with production and distribution
• Compare the life cycles of different materials and products
• Discover practical ways to reduce their environmental footprint through smarter purchasing and consumption decisions