PLT Life Cycle Assessment Demonstrates Significant Reduction of CO2 Emissions

A recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of PLT® poultry litter treatment showed the product has the power to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from poultry houses. The Sustainability Research Group at the University of Toledo evaluated the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from PLT® application in poultry house operations.

The assessment identified the reductions in greenhouse gas emission (CO2) from lower energy usage for a 6 week grow-out period as well as the CO2 impact from the production and distribution of PLT. Researchers found that when PLT was applied, the reduction in heating fuel and ventilation electricity usage equaled 16,200 pounds of CO2 in winter and 3,100 pounds of CO2 in summer. The production and distribution of 1 ton of PLT generates about 700 pounds of CO2-equivalent life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, meaning every applied ton of PLT reduces CO2 equivalents 20 fold.

“Sustainability has always been a focus at Jones-Hamilton,” said Business Development Manager, Blake Gibson. “Given the ongoing discussions about animal production and the potential impact on the environment, these positive influences that the proper uses of PLT have on energy requirements are extremely beneficial.”

In addition to the CO2 reduction, Jones-Hamilton field studies have recorded significant bird weight improvement in poultry house operation with the use of PLT. “The winter field study showed an average weight increase of 3,600 pounds per house,” said Gibson.

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) identifies the resources consumed and the emissions to the environment at each stage of the life cycle of a product (transformation, distribution, consumption, final disposal). Following a product from the cradle to the grave allows resource consumption and releases to the air, water and ground to be mapped; it also maps product’s end impact on the environment.

The complete PLT life cycle assessment can be found here.