Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) do cobre para identificação da gravidade dos aspectos e impactos ambientais potenciais

Abstract

Copper is one of the metals whose main characteristics are high electrical and thermal conductivity, antimicrobial capacity, total recyclability (without losing its characteristics and properties), and is then used mainly in the generation and distribution of electricity, in water and gas pipes, in car parts, in electrical and electronic products, in hospital utensils. Within the context of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM), the objective of this article is to map the green supply chain (forward and reverse) of copper and, through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), to identify potential environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of the material. The research methodology consisted of a literature review and a case study, based on secondary data to elaborate the LCA of copper, through the ERPA (Environmentally Responsible Product Assessment) method. It was concluded that the copper cycle is worrisome when it comes to environmental impacts, with the stage of copper extraction through mining being the one that has the greatest impact on the environment, in terms of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, indicating the importance of increasing recycling to enable the increase in the supply of recycled copper to meet the increase in demand for the metal.