This paper presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the manufacturing process of crystal glass products in order to evaluate the potential environmental impacts due to a crystalware company located in Colle di Val dElsa, Siena (Italy). Since there is not any published research specifically focussed on crystal production to our knowledge, outcomes from this study would represent a first documented evidence gathered from an LCA of crystal glass products. Once a detailed description of the production process was provided, different categories of impacts were assessed and analysed. Outcomes allowed us to identify weak points in the production process and propose possible solutions for decreasing the risk of negative effects on the environment. According to the LCA methodology, the whole life cycle of crystal glass was structured into four primary phasesraw materials acquisition, crystal glass manufacturing, product utilisation and final disposaleach of which includes a set of sub-processes. Through an accurate life cycle inventory, primary data, relative to the year 2006, were elaborated through the EDIP database. The calculation of impacts was aided by GaBi4 software with reference to a functional unit corresponding to 1 kg of crystal glass products. Relative to the CML2001 problem-oriented approach, a set of impact categories was used for the classification and characterisation of the life cycle impact assessment. Potential category indicators were finally accounted for and normalised in accordance with the CML Western Europe method.
