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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Nowadays, there is a growing promotion to label products ecologically in European
markets. Knowing that daily products have relevant environmental impact associated with their
production, it is of utmost importance to analyse all the related production processes for a better
understanding of each process impact. The present study analysed the potential environmental
impacts of a Portuguese regional product, the Beira Baixa cheese, coming from the largest national
sheep milk region. So, a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used from -cradle-to -gate,
including the supplying of the animal feedstock. Impact calculations are performed using the ReCiPe
midpoint 2008 method, allowing an analysis of the environmental impacts contributing to climate
change, terrestrial acidification, freshwater and marine eutrophication of all productive processes.
The results have shown that the greatest impacts occur within the milk production process for
all four selected impact categories. This happens mainly due to the fodder cultivation process,
also necessary to produce animal feed, which contain processes of fertilization and land preparation.
The enteric fermentation and manure management processes have also shown relevant contributions.
The impact assessment also showed that the cheesemaking industry has practically insignificant
impacts. Nonetheless, the cheesemaking industry can promote their business with these results,
by advertising and marketing their product as environmentally friendly, with production processes
causing reduced impacts, and therefore also their products.
Description
Keywords
Life Cycle Assessment Dairy Industry Cheese Production Process ReCiPe Method Cradle-to-gate