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Assessing the environmental impact of the dairy processing industry in the Republic of Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2018

William Finnegan ,
Jamie Goggins  and
Xinmin Zhan
William Finnegan
Affiliation:
College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Jamie Goggins*
Affiliation:
College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy (MaREI), Galway, Ireland
Xinmin Zhan
Affiliation:
College of Engineering and Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
*
*For correspondence; e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

This Research Communication describes the methodology used and the subsequent results obtained for an assessment of the environmental impact associated with the manufacture of dairy products in the Republic of Ireland. As the Irish dairy industry changes and grows, it is necessary to have a benchmark of the environmental performance of the sector if it is to remain sustainable in the future. In order to estimate the environmental impact, life cycle assessment has been implemented, which has been structured in accordance with the International Organisation for Standardisation guidelines. In this study, the environmental impact categories assessed are terrestrial acidification potential, cumulative energy demand, freshwater eutrophication potential, global warming potential, marine eutrophication potential and water depletion. The main Irish dairy products have been compared across these environmental impact categories in order to derive meaningful results. It is identified that packaging materials, particularly for infant formula, and energy usage, across each of the life cycle stages, should be targeted as these are the most significant contributors to the overall environmental impact.

Keywords

Dairy processingenvironmental impactlife cycle assessment
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Dairy Research , Volume 85 , Issue 3 , August 2018 , pp. 396 - 399
Copyright
Copyright © Hannah Dairy Research Foundation 2018 

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