Estimation of the Environmental Impact Costs of Apple Juice Production in Mashhad: A Life Cycle Assessment-Based Study

This study aimed to estimate the environmental impact costs of apple juice production in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, using a life cycle assessment (LCA)-based approach combined with monetary valuation. The cradle-to-gate environmental impacts of apple juice production were quantified using SimaPro software, covering both apple cultivation and juice processing stages. Environmental impact costs were estimated in three categories: carbon-related social costs, air pollution damages, and preventive environmental costs for mitigating impacts such as climate change, human health risks, and ecosystem degradation. Results revealed that the total environmental impact costs per ۱۶۰ g juice pack were ۵.۲۸×۱۰⁻³ USD for carbon-related social costs, ۷.۳۶×۱۰⁻³ USD for air pollution damages, and ۳.۲۵×۱۰⁻² USD for preventive environmental costs, highlighting the hidden ecological and societal burdens of production. In general, fossil fuel consumption (particularly natural gas), along with inputs such as apple cultivation and sugar, accounted for the largest share of associated costs. Overall, this study demonstrates that monetizing LCA-based impacts provides a clear understanding of the economic consequences of environmental burdens in apple juice production. These findings can inform sustainable production strategies, guide industry interventions, and support policy measures aimed at reducing carbon emissions, improving human health, and protecting ecosystems.

کلیدواژه ها:

Apple juice ، Life cycle assessment ، Environmental impact cost ، Sustainability ، Mashhad