Environmental and economic sustainability in cultural heritage preventive conservation: LCA and LCC of innovative nanotechnology-based products

Abstract

The management of cultural heritage requires continuous preventive conservation measures, which are often expensive and can be impactful to the environment. Cultural heritage preventive conservation is currently experiencing the development of highly innovative techniques to improve the sustainability performance of materials (including nanomaterials) used in such activities. However, the impacts on human health and the environment that may result from the production and use of such (nano)materials are still largely unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the potential environmental and economic life cycle impacts of an innovative product called “Novel Archive Box” in which nanotechnology is applied for the preventive conservation of cultural objects stored in museum. Results based on the life cycle of one Novel Archive Box performed through the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint and endpoint method demonstrate a greater impact related to raw materials sourcing, including transport. The present work highlights the importance of applying screening Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing to innovative products, since their early stage of development (e.g., prototype level), to support their further improvement and steer the arts and culture sector toward increasingly sustainable solutions.

Keywords

• Life cycle assessment
• Life cycle costing
• Cultural heritage objects
• Preventive conservation