Cradle to grave is a system boundary approach in Life Cycle Assessment that encompasses all stages of a product's life cycle, from raw material extraction through to final disposal. This represents the most comprehensive scope for environmental assessment, capturing the complete environmental profile of a product from its inception to its end of life.
The term derives from the metaphorical "cradle" representing birth or origin (raw material extraction) and "grave" representing death or end (final disposal). In the context of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, a cradle to grave assessment includes all unit processes across the entire product life cycle: raw material acquisition, production and manufacturing, distribution and transport, use phase, and end-of-life treatment including final disposal.
This comprehensive approach ensures that environmental burdens are not simply shifted from one life cycle stage to another. For example, a product that appears environmentally beneficial during use might have significant impacts during raw material extraction or disposal. By examining the full cradle to grave system, practitioners can identify the true environmental hotspots and avoid problem-shifting between life cycle stages.
The cradle to grave scope contrasts with other system boundary definitions. A cradle-to-gate assessment stops at the factory gate, excluding use and disposal phases. A gate-to-gate assessment examines only specific processes within the life cycle. Meanwhile, cradle-to-cradle approaches extend beyond disposal to include recycling and reuse, treating waste as a resource for new production cycles.
