In this study, two methods including data envelopment analysis (DEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) were applied in order to determine energy efficiency and aid in the reduction of environmental burdens for tea production in Guilan province, Iran. The initial data were collected from 30 tea producers using a face‐to‐face questionnaire. Two models including constant return to scale (CCR) and variable return to scale (BCC) were used for calculating efficiency scores. Simultaneously, ten impact categories (AD, AC, EP, GW, OLD, FE, ME, HT, TE, and PO) were assessed to identify the main problem areas in the tea farms. The results indicated that the average technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency were 0.881, 0.979, and 0.897, respectively. Moreover, the total energy saving was computed to be in the range of 7193 MJ ha−1. The highest share of total energy saving potential belonged to nitrogen with 65.93% observed. Based on the results, nitrogen, diesel fuel and machinery were the main hotspots in the majority of impact categories in both of present and DEA farms. Furthermore, in this study, the potential for impact category reduction was investigated and the results illustrated that between 17 and 20% of emissions can be reduced by converting present to DEA farms. In conclusion, the joint DEA + LCA method can improve the energy efficiency and environmental impacts in tea production, significantly. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1116–1122, 2017

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Tea as the second most consumed none-alcoholic beverage in the world next to the water is involved with considerable environmental impacts during its life cycle. Because of the high importance of the tea sector in northern Iran, the present study aimed to assess the environmental burdens of tea in life cycle, including green tea leaf production in the farm and its transportation to the factory, tea processing, tea packaging, processed tea transportation to the local shop and its preparation in private household in Guilan province, Iran. The hotspots of each stage were identified and then all of stages were combined and different alternatives were compared. For this purpose, Life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used based on the ISO 14040 standard.CML-IA baseline method was applied for impact assessment. Also the economic performance was assessed for green tea leaf and packaged black tea by calculating eco-efficiency (EE) scores.Required input data were collected from 30 farms and 30 tea processing factories in Lahijan and Langroud regions. LCA results showed that machinery and diesel fuel were the most pollutant inputs in farm and factory, respectively. Tea green leaf production was identified as the major contributor (57%) to environmental burdens in comparison with other steps throughout tea life cycle. Two-layer packaging was found as the most pollutant scenario in comparison to other scenarios (one-layer, three-layer and polyethylene packages). Cooktop was found to be more environment-friendly than electric kettle. Low EE score for most impact categories indicated the necessity of reconsidering the patterns for tea leaf production. For packaging scenarios, threelayer packaging had the highest net income with lowest environmental impacts. Based on the modelled results, it is suggested that negative environmental consequences of tea life cycle can

Cement manufacture is a considerable industrial activity in terms of its volumes and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This study apprises the environmental impact of the clinker and Portland cement production in Iran, using life cycle impact assessment. Data used in the cement manufacture life cycle inventory are based on site surveys of energy consumption, raw material use, and transportation distances. Emissions were estimated based on U. S. EPA emission factors. Most of these pollutants were belong to kiln, preheater and diesel fuel, respectively. To a comprehensive impact assessment, some impact and damage categories based on CML baseline, Pfister et al 2009, IMPACT 2002+, cumulative exergy demand (CExD), and Eco‐indicator 99 methods were investigated. Environmental hotspots in all categories were detected. Production process was identified as a substantial contributor in most of the categories, such as global warming impact category and damage to human health. Electricity was the other main contributor. It had the highest share in the total of CExD indictor. Iron ore had the enormous contribution in the impact categories of mineral extraction. In this article, water scarcity footprint for cement manufacture was also investigated. It was concluded that diesel is the main impact categories related to water scarcity indicator. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018

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