What is COMPASS?
COMPASS (Comparative Packaging Assessment) is online design software that allows packaging designers and engineers to assess the human and environmental impacts of their package designs using a life cycle approach. COMPASS helps packaging designers make more informed material selections and design decisions by providing quick visual guidance on a common set of environmental indicators.
COMPASS provides information on: Life Cycle MetricsCONSUMPTION METRICS
- Fossil Fuel
- Water
- Mineral
- Biotic Resource
EMISSION METRICS - Greenhouse Gas
- Clean Production: Human Impacts
- Clean Production: Aquatic Toxicity
- Eutrophication
| Packaging Attributes- Recycled vs. Virgin Content
- Percent of Source Certified Material
- Solid Waste
- Material Health
Life Cycle Phases- Material Manufacture
- Conversion
- Distribution
- End of Life
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VERSION 2.0 Now Available(June 2010) The COMPASS development team led by Minal Mistry has worked on enhancing the web application since early winter and is finalizing the website and tool for release within two weeks. Version 2.0 of the application will have the current feature set plus a few additions. Additions include: - Ability to compare single use scenarios with refill options,
- Assess environmental profile of multi-pack scenarios,
- Track post-conversion distribution impacts based on mode of transport and vehicle,
- A detailed project report export file,
In addition, users of COMPASS will notice a new and improved user interface which is designed to improve workflow and reduce the time it takes to assemble a project for assessment.
Data UpdatesRecent activity in LCA work by various material associations has resulted in the release new data for of a number materials, which we hope to incorporate into COMPASS upon third party review. Data update to COMPASS is anticipated to occur during the later part of 2010 and will likely include Ingeo 2009, rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate), rHDPE (recycled high density polyethylene) and various fiber based materials.
Subscription FeeThe annual COMPASS license fee is as follows: - SPC Member companies - $1000/yr for five seats
- General - $2000/year for five seats
Visit the SPC Membership information page.
In the News?This year COMPASS was featured at several conferences including:
COMPASS DevelopmentCOMPASS was developed by the SPC with support from the U.S. EPA and input from packaging industry and life cycle assessment experts. Its development was inspired by MERGE™, a software tool created by Environmental Defense Fund in the 1990s. The COMPASS life cycle metrics were developed through a stakeholder process, using the SPC Definition of Sustainable Packaging and ISO 14044 to guide the process. The software uses production-weighted, industry average data. COMPASS currently houses data sets for Europe, Canada and the United States.
Visit the COMPASS website for details. New to COMPASS? |