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Tim Grant
The evolution of sustainability assessment: From ad hoc assessments to systematic sustainable packaging design
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has evolved from a reactive, one-off assessment tool into a proactive, systematic approach that drives sustainable packaging design. Initially, businesses conducted LCAs sporadically - often in response to regulatory pressure or reputational risks. Today, LCA is embedded in decision-making, guiding packaging innovation from concept to production and from raw material inputs through to end-of-life. This transformation allows businesses to integrate sustainability at every stage, ensuring data-driven choices that minimise environmental impact while balancing performance, cost, and compliance. As sustainability expectations rise across industries, sustainability assessments will become less optional. Suppliers and manufacturers are increasingly required to provide science-based sustainability data both up and down the supply chains. Companies that fail to implement rigorous LCA practices risk being excluded from procurement opportunities. The growing emphasis on LCA is being driven by both the carrot and the stick-regulatory compliance mandates stricter sustainability reporting and eco-design principles, while businesses and consumers actively seek to do the right thing. Those who proactively embrace LCA gain a competitive advantage, securing long-term cost savings, meeting compliance standards, and aligning with shifting market demands for sustainable solutions.
About Tim:
Tim Grant is the director and founder of Lifecycles, Australia’s most experienced provider of circular economy and sustainability research, consulting, tool development, emission factors and LCA training. With more than 30 years’ experience working in LCA, he has been instrumental in the development of data and leading-edge scientific support for sustainability tools, including PIQET “Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool”, a streamlined LCA tool designed for the packaging industry. Tim is a pioneer of LCA, both domestically and internationally, as the founding president and long-time board member of Australian Life Cycle Assessment society (ALCAS) and co-chair Ecosystem Services taskforce within the United Nations supported Life Cycle Initiative. Tim's expertise has been sought to adjudicate the 'sustainability' category for esteemed design awards, notably the Good Design Awards (2024, 2023) and The Premiers Sustainability Awards (2013).