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Purpose <p>China’s significant sofa market contributes to environmental issues that require attention. This study evaluated the environmental impacts of a leather sofa produced in China using life cycle assessment (LCA).</p> Methods <p>A cradle-to-grave system boundary was established based on the “BIFMA PCR for Seating: UNCPC 3811 Version 3” Product Category Rule. The entire life cycle of the sofa was divided into four phases: the raw material acquisition phase, the production phase, the transport phase, and the disposal phase. Production data of the sofa were obtained through field research to quantify the environmental impacts and analyze the root causes to make some recommendations for improvement.</p> Results and discussions <p>Results showed that the raw material phase has the highest contribution to all impact categories, with an average impact of 77.3%, followed by the production phase (13.4%). Within the raw material phase, the production of plywood, leather, and metal fixings represents the most significant contributions. In the production phase, electricity consumption is the main hotspot. Furthermore, this study explored potential strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of sofas. Substituting leather with synthetic leather and linen reduces global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP) by 32%, 17%, 29%, 28%, and 16%, respectively. Wind and photovoltaic power generation exhibit lower environmental impacts and are viable alternatives to thermal power generation. Recycling is considered the most environmentally friendly method of waste disposal.</p> Conclusions <p>This study serves as a valuable reference for evaluating sofas in China and offers optimization recommendations to enhance production processes. To minimize environmental impacts, efforts should prioritize reducing leather usage and transitioning to sustainable energy sources. These findings offer valuable insights for improving sofa production processes and advancing the sustainability of the industry.</p>

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Life cycle assessment and optimization scenarios of sofas: a case study in China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月22日

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  • Ruiying Wan,
  • Xianqing Xiong,
  • Sijie Fu,
  • Dejun Xiong,
  • Xiutong Xu

摘要

Purpose

China’s significant sofa market contributes to environmental issues that require attention. This study evaluated the environmental impacts of a leather sofa produced in China using life cycle assessment (LCA).

Methods

A cradle-to-grave system boundary was established based on the “BIFMA PCR for Seating: UNCPC 3811 Version 3” Product Category Rule. The entire life cycle of the sofa was divided into four phases: the raw material acquisition phase, the production phase, the transport phase, and the disposal phase. Production data of the sofa were obtained through field research to quantify the environmental impacts and analyze the root causes to make some recommendations for improvement.

Results and discussions

Results showed that the raw material phase has the highest contribution to all impact categories, with an average impact of 77.3%, followed by the production phase (13.4%). Within the raw material phase, the production of plywood, leather, and metal fixings represents the most significant contributions. In the production phase, electricity consumption is the main hotspot. Furthermore, this study explored potential strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of sofas. Substituting leather with synthetic leather and linen reduces global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP) by 32%, 17%, 29%, 28%, and 16%, respectively. Wind and photovoltaic power generation exhibit lower environmental impacts and are viable alternatives to thermal power generation. Recycling is considered the most environmentally friendly method of waste disposal.

Conclusions

This study serves as a valuable reference for evaluating sofas in China and offers optimization recommendations to enhance production processes. To minimize environmental impacts, efforts should prioritize reducing leather usage and transitioning to sustainable energy sources. These findings offer valuable insights for improving sofa production processes and advancing the sustainability of the industry.