Question

Define total product life cycle, and describe the many stages at which pollutants may enter the environment.

Short answer

A 'Total Product Life Cycle' refers to the stages a product goes through from design to disposal. Pollution could originate at multiple stages including raw material acquisition, production, transportation, use, and end-of-life disposal.

Step-by-step solution

Definition

Begin by defining 'Total Product Life Cycle'. This can be described as the process that a product goes through from conception and design, through to manufacture, use and finally disposal. The total product life cycle provides a systematic framework for evaluating environmental impact.

Stages

Outline the key stages of the total product life cycle, which might typically include: 1. Raw Material Acquisition 2. Production/Manufacturing 3. Packaging and Transportation 4. Use 5. End-of-Life.

Pollution Points

Now identify at which of these stages pollutants may enter the environment. During the raw material acquisition, production and transportation stages, processes may release pollutants into the air, soil or water. During the use stage, the product could indirectly contribute to pollution e.g. electronic devices consuming electricity produced from fossil fuels. Finally, at the end-of-life stage, improper disposal can lead to leaks into the environment.