Available Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Features
Missing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Features
Pricing
Starting Price
Options
- Free Trial
- Annual Subscription
Available Since
Deployment Options
Good Option For
- Small Business (11-50 people)
- Medium Business (51-250 people)
- Large Business (250+ people)
Deep dive
Core Features
PackageSmart applies rigorous LCA methods such as cradle-to-grave life cycle inventory (LCI) data from sources like ecoinvent and USLCI, flexible impact assessment options, and normalization based on global per‑capita benchmarks. Its principal features include:
Intuitive web-based interface – Designed with packaging designers in mind, PackageSmart simplifies LCA workflows, translating technical language into design-friendly terms like “components” and “Consumer Meaningful Units.”
Scenario-based modeling – Build parametric models to compare design alternatives, material choices, and what-if scenarios early in the creative process.
Comparative analysis tools – Quickly assess the environmental trade-offs between materials or configurations (e.g., recycled vs. virgin materials) using built-in comparative features.
Cube-utilization & transport evaluation – Analyze packaging design for transport efficiency and optimize for shipment constraints.
Environmental hotspots & footprint metrics – Identify key impact areas and quantify footprints—carbon, water, nitrogen—through hotspot analysis and customizable indicators.
Custom reporting & data export – Generate tailored reports, export to Excel, or design consistent templates using the built-in report writer for easy sharing and stakeholder buy‑in.
Closing Insights
PackageSmart is trusted by diverse organizations. Designers at Michigan State University’s School of Packaging, for example, use it for teaching LCA concepts in packaging design, praising its ability to encourage system thinking and life‑cycle perspectives. A packaging plant manager has reported creating full cradle-to-grave models within his first week of using PackageSmart, highlighting usability for non-experts.
Although precise release timelines aren’t stated, PackageSmart remains a cloud app with continuous updates to datasets, methods, and software, ensuring up-to-date analysis. Its inclusion of Global Packaging Project (GPP) Impact Assessment Method and normalization adds forward-looking rigor relevant for standardizing sustainable packaging metrics. EarthShift supports users through free 7-day trials, video tutorials on its YouTube channel, and consultative support for inventory setup and feature onboarding.
Together, these strengths make PackageSmart not just an LCA tool, but a designer-centric, enterprise-ready platform for embedding sustainability into packaging design, from ideation through delivery.