Recent Projects

Here is a representative sampling of our recent and ongoing projects in carbon footprinting of products and processes, supply chain environmental analysis, and other environmental performance applications of modeling/simulation techniques. The Customers page lists the economic sectors that we have served recently.

Custom Tools and Databases

• Customization of CarbonScopeData database for integration with a third-party proprietary software tool designed to enable corporate sustainability efforts.
• Custom food life-cycle GHG emissions database for a leading enviromental research and advocacy organization.
• Custom GHG emissions models and database for end-of-life disposal scenarios for a variety of industrial and post-consumer waste materials -- derived from CarbonScopeData and other sources.
• Customization of CarbonScopeData to provide a carbon "foodprint" database for the European market. more
• Development of web-based software and database for interactive evaluation and comparison of life-cycle carbon footprints and cost for commercial building construction projects, for a leading commercial real-estate developer operating in the Western states. more
• Development of web-based software and database for interactive supply-chain analysis and reporting of "food miles" and carbon emissions for a specialized regional produce distributor. more
• Development of an analytical tool for interactive evaluation and comparison of life-cycle carbon footprints and cost for alternative plastic and glass packaging options for foods/beverages, for one of the largest suppliers of plastic packaging solutions. more
• Development of an analytical tool for interactive evaluation and comparison of life-cycle carbon footprints for a broad array of industrial electric motors, including manufacturing, use, repair and disposal phases.
• Development of web-based software and database for interactive carbon footprint analysis of a large number of food products, for initial use at a major urban university. more

Product Carbon Footprinting and Supply-Chain Environmental Analysis

• Comparative life cycle assessment of two competing crack seal products.
• Life-cycle carbon footprint analysis of biodegradable, disposable food plates.
• Comparative life-cycle carbon footprint analysis of natural and synthetic bedding products.
• Comparative life-cycle carbon footprint analysis of hot-beverage drinkware products made with virgin and recycled materials.
• Comparative carbon footprint analysis of four types of plastic drums and bulk containers used to store chemical products.
• Corporate and product carbon footprint analysis for a premier picture-frame manufacturer and their supply-chain partners.
• Comparative carbon footprint analysis of meltblown and coldform sorbents.
• Cradle-to-grave carbon footprint analysis of three common/popular food products served in an institutional setting -- including production, packaging, transport, cooking, and waste disposal. more
• Comparative carbon footprint analysis of plastic bags for multiple applications made with virgin and recycled resins. more
• Comparative life-cycle carbon footprint analysis of multiple processed/packaged fresh fruit product lines. more
• Carbon footprint analysis of an eco-friendly clothing/apparel manufacturing business, including life-cycle comparisons of eco-friendly and conventional textile materials. more
• Comparative life-cycle carbon footprint analysis of a conventional natural gas based industrial energy system and an alternative hybrid system powered by renewable magnesium-anode fuel cells.
• Life-cycle carbon footprint and energy-use analysis of paper and plastic grocery bags for a retail chain. more
• Comparative life-cycle carbon footprint analysis of plastic and concrete manholes used in sewer and storm drain systems. more, news
• Life-cycle carbon footprint analysis of organic milk and soy milk products for a name-brand national supplier. more
• Analysis of fuel usage and carbon emissions associated with multimodal transportation through all stages of a supply chain, from factory to retail outlet, for a leading manufacturer of natural cleaning products (a student-led project).
• "Farm-to-kitchen" carbon footprint analysis of food ingredients for a large national food service company. more, methodology
• Carbon emissions evaluation of a retail chain's home delivery services. more
• Analysis of energy use and carbon emissions in wine distribution in California. more
• Supply-chain carbon emissions analysis for local food distribution networks in the Northwest.

Modeling and Simulation

• An agent-based simulation model of trade, used to explore the effects of a distance constraint (due to high cost of fuel or limits on greenhouse gas emissions) on global trade. report-1, report-2
• A system dynamics model of a supply chain, used to compare the greenhouse gas emissions generated by different configurations of lean and non-lean supply chains. report
• A system dynamics model of municipal recycling, used to explore policy options to increase recycling and related social dynamics. report
• A discrete-event simulation model of a lean auto repair facility, used to analyze and optimize customer satisfaction and cost-effective delivery of service. report
• A system dynamics model of predator-prey dynamics and wildlife management, used to explore policy options. report