Baseline Measurement and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A Holistic Approach
JOYinCARE introduces the groundbreaking Green Careconcept, which is committed to a healthier society and combines awareness within the healthcare sector. We explore the benefits of the insights gained from baseline measurements and Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) for clients and users, and reveal surprising results. Let this engaging conversation inspire you to consider the future of your business strategy and the added value of baseline measurements and LCAs in creating positive change. Read on to discover JOYinCARE's Green Care concept and understand how it's transforming the healthcare sector.
What did the baseline measurement bring and what insights did it give you?
JOYinCARE: The baseline measurement and LCA helped us in two ways. First, the LCA gave us insight into the environmental impact of our new lifting slings. But more importantly, it encouraged us to look further into our company and its impact. It gave us significant insights into where we stand and what our priorities should be. We created a roadmap and now know where to focus to make the greatest impact for both our customers and the environment.
What is a Baseline?
By conducting a baseline measurement for healthcare, an organization gains a clear picture of its current situation and the extent of the challenges it faces. This allows them to develop targeted actions and strategies to achieve the desired improvements. After implementing measures, a follow-up measurement can be conducted to evaluate progress and compare it with the initial baseline measurement. In the case of JOYinCARE's Green Care Concept, a baseline measurement for healthcare was conducted to gain insight into the organization's environmental impact and a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the lifting slings, which evaluated the environmental impact of their production, use, and disposal.
What is a Life Cycle Assessment?
A LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) LCA is a method for assessing the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. It involves analyzing environmental impacts across various categories, such as climate change, resource consumption, and water and air pollution. The goal is to gain a comprehensive picture of environmental impacts so that sustainable decisions can be made. LCAs are used to compare product designs, identify hotspots, and evaluate the environmental impact of services.
What is the difference between a baseline measurement and an LCA?
A baseline measurement In healthcare, baseline assessment is used to determine the current state of affairs before implementing changes, for example, in the healthcare sector. It measures, for example, the quality of care or the efficiency of processes. On the other hand, an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) focuses on assessing the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle, including resource consumption and emissions. The goal is to make sustainable decisions and reduce environmental impact. In short, a baseline assessment in healthcare measures the current situation within the organization, while an LCA focuses on the environmental impact of a specific product.
Ready for the upcoming Challenges and Opportunities
The EU has challenging new laws and regulations Introduced to promote sustainability and the circular economy. This includes initiatives such as the Green Claims Directive, ESPR, Digital Product Passport, Consumer Rights Directive, Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, Carbon Border Tax, EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, and EU Plastics Strategy. Companies can prepare by improving data structures, understanding the impact of materials, and applying circular design. Trends include data collection, making the textile sector more sustainable, plastic-free generation, activist rights, incentives for bio-based materials, banning fossil-based freight transport, and a shift towards value creation. JOYinCARE can benefit by understanding material impacts, integrating sustainability, and stimulating innovation.
What is your position on the challenging changes in legislation and regulations regarding sustainability?
JOYinCARE: Initially, we viewed the regulatory changes as a requirement, like the upcoming CSRD. We knew sustainability was important, but we had no idea how to approach it or whether we could help healthcare organizations (our clients) with it. But after collaborating with New Economy, we see it as a process we can work on step by step. We've noticed that there are still significant challenges regarding environmental impact, especially in the healthcare and textile industries in which we operate. We are now actively implementing sustainability measures and see it as an opportunity to lead the way and differentiate ourselves in the industry.
The Benefits of Sustainability Insights for Customers and Users
Sustainability insights offer valuable benefits to users and customers. They empower consumers to make informed choices, foster trust between companies and customers, and stimulate innovation for a healthier future.
What are the benefits of the insights you've gained through the baseline measurement and LCA, both for your customers and for the users of your products?
JOYinCARE: The sustainability insights we obtained through the baseline measurement and LCA are of great value to both our customers and the users of our products. First of all, we can now communicate more clearly about the environmental impact of our products. This helps our customers make informed choices and allows them to factor sustainability into their decision-making process. We've also discovered that with a few adjustments to our products, we can achieve a CO2 reduction of nearly 70% compared to conventional products. These environmental benefits go hand in hand with the improvement in quality. It also allows users of our products to have a positive impact on the environment without having to compromise on product quality or functionality. This is a significant advantage, as more and more customers value sustainability and are willing to purchase products that align with their values.
Surprising Results from the Baseline Measurement at JOYinCARE
How have you used the insights gained to adapt your business strategy and formulate your sustainability goals?
JOYinCARE: We've integrated sustainability into the core of our business operations, so it's not just a separate initiative. For example, when relocating our warehouse from Nunspeet to our production site in Assen, the sustainability impact was factored into our decision-making process. We also have a project group dedicated to product development, which now considers sustainability a key aspect, balancing costs and margins against our sustainability goals. We've received valuable insights and insights from New Economy, which has contributed to raising our awareness.
How do you ensure that sustainability is integrated into the core of your business operations and not just remains a separate initiative?
JOYinCARE: We deliberately didn't make just one person responsible for sustainability initiatives, but integrated them within every team. This way, we ensure this topic is incorporated into all our activities, from our sewing workshop to product development. In this way, we strive to make sustainability not just a separate initiative, but an integral part of who we are as a company.
How do you look back on the collaboration with New Economy?
JOYinCARE: Working with New Economy was a valuable experience. It was fantastic to see how meticulously and consciously they handled data, which made a big difference compared to other consultants. They were critical and warned against unintentional greenwashing, clearly demonstrating their intentions, albeit with a slightly activist tone at times. At the same time, they were very practical and offered immediately usable solutions in this accessible collaboration. They weren't just executors; they supported us with extra brainpower throughout the process.
A Glimpse into the Future
Together with New Economy, JOYinCARE will continue to work towards a healthier healthcare sector, where its products and business operations inspire the sector. Are you curious about what a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) or baseline measurement can mean for your organization?
Then please contact us now Jonah Link by sending an email to jonah@neweconomy.eco
English 
Dutch