ARLINGTON, VA. — A new set of life cycle assessment (LCA) resources are available to help the animal feed and pet food industry assess its environmental footprint, the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) said.

IFEEDER developed the resources in collaboration with the Context Network and the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC).

“IFEEDER is committed to providing practical tools and resources to support sustainability efforts across our industry,” said Lara Moody, executive director of IFEEDER. “With the increasing interest in LCAs, these new materials provide actionable resources for companies that are interested in pursuing LCAs for their products.”

An LCA is a systematic analysis of the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life. It is a tool for product development, benchmarking, identifying areas for improvement and informing strategic planning.

The new resources include:

  • LCA process overview: An introduction to LCA, its purpose, processes and outcomes, including steps for International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards review.
  • LCA glossary: Definitions of key terms and concepts to help companies understand the language of LCAs.
  • Industry member insights: A summary of findings from interviews with US and Canadian industry members about LCA drivers, challenges and current trends.
  • LCA decision tree: A guide to key questions and decisions for companies considering an LCA, addressing value, commitment, prioritization and strategy.
  • LCA landscape mapping and profiles: A detailed map of stakeholders, including standards organizations, regulatory bodies, software providers and practitioners, and their roles in the LCA ecosystem.

The complete Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit is available for free to American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) members and IFEEDER donors on IFEEDER’s website, ifeeder.org. ANAC members can contact ANAC for free access to the toolkit. It is also available for purchase to nonmembers for $995 in AFIA’s online store.

Read more about sustainability efforts across the pet food and treat industry.