- Sustainability and PCI
- Learn about the efforts of PCI and its members to become more sustainable
- Precast Concrete and Sustainable Design
- Learn about the benefits of precast concrete
- LEED Resources
- Find out how precast can contribute toward LEED and other green building rating systems
- The Building Envelope
- Precast concrete, the building envelope, and energy savings
- PCI Certification
- Learn about the industry’s most respected measure of quality and professional assurance
- Case Studies
- Projects that have used precast concrete to assist in achieving their sustainable design goals
- Life-Cycle Assessment
- Study of the environmental impact of precast concrete
- Educational Resources
- Schedule a seminar or box-lunch program
- Resources
- Frequently asked questions, terminology, links, and more
- News
Life-Cycle Assessment
PCI and its members are committed to continuously improve the sustainable aspects of its products and processes in order to make an even greater contribution to sustainability. Given that commitment, and the history of PCI as a technical institute, it comes as no surprise that PCI is engaged in a life-cycle assessment with Morrison Hershfield and the Athena Institute to investigate the environmental impact of precast concrete. The results will be used to provide information to the industry and used in research and development to improve products, delivery, and plant practices.
- LCA model
A life-cycle assessment, or LCA, is a standardized method for examining a broad range of environmental impacts associated with a process or a product over its complete life cycle. ISO 14044 is the accepted standard to use when performing an LCA.
Only the LCA of a building can provide estimates of the full range of environmental burdens, such as embodied energy use and related fossil fuel depletion; other resource use; greenhouse gas emissions; and toxic releases to air, water, and land.
When applied to buildings, an LCA includes:- resource extraction
- manufacturing and transportation of materials and prefabricated components
- on-site construction
- building operations, including energy consumption and maintenance
- end-of-life reuse, recycling, or disposal
