Small and medium-sized confectioning companies of the State of Rio de Janeiro: analysis of the implementation of the Life Cycle Assessment Tool

Abstract

Purpose This paper analyzes the implementation of the Life Cycle Assessment tools in the Brazilian small and medium-sized confectioning companies, associated with the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan).

Methods Considering that SMEs account for more than 60% of the economy of Rio de Janeiro’s state, a multiple case study was carried out and the responses of a group of SMEs working in the state were analyzed in relation to their experience and knowledge on the subject.

Results and discussion Most of the investigated companies act on the environment only with palliative actions that do not eliminate the cause or avoid environmental problems, only minimally comply with the legislation.

Conclusions this research concludes that there is a great need to disseminate the concepts of environmental management and its tools, as well as the LCA theme among the industries, especially the SMEs, so that they have enough information to evaluate how they can insert the LCA as a tool of competitive strategy so that their products are recognized as sustainable, both in domestic market and abroad.