Definition: The complete lifespan of cold chain equipment from manufacturing through installation, operation, maintenance, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. Includes environmental impact considerations at each stage.
Why It Matters: Total environmental impact includes more than operational emissions. Lifecycle thinking informs procurement decisions. Regulatory requirements for refrigerant recovery at end-of-life. Sustainability reporting increasingly includes Scope 3 emissions.
Lifecycle Stages:
– Manufacturing: Materials, energy, embedded carbon
– Installation: Commissioning, validation
– Operation: Energy use, refrigerant emissions
– Maintenance: Parts replacement, refrigerant top-ups
– End-of-Life: Decommissioning, refrigerant recovery, recycling
Circular Economy Considerations:
– Design for disassembly and recycling
– Refrigerant recovery and reclamation
– Component refurbishment and reuse
– Extended equipment lifespan through maintenance
Related Terms: Sustainability, GWP, Circular Economy, Refrigerant Recovery