Example of a Decision Making Matrix/Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Attributes You Seek	Product A	Product B	Product C
Renewable feedstock	Made from finite commodity--oil	Made from readily renewable resource--corn, soy	Made from postconsumer material
Resource conservative	-	Made locally, conserving transportation	Because of reused content, 30% less water and energy in manufacturing process
Robust (healthy)
Potentially hazardous properties--ethylene glycol	1.79%	0.001%	1.12%
Physical properties--volatile organic compounds	162 grams/liter	0 grams/liter	71 grams/liter
Cost of waste management + staff exposure + liability	$	$0	$
Reusable	Yes, but supplier will not take excess back	Yes, but supplier will not take excess back	As part of contract, supplier will pick up all excess
Cost if excessed	$	$	$0
Resistent to waste
Packaging	Plastic containers	Recycled metal containers	Refillable metal containers
Cost of packaging disposal	$	$	$0
Quantities	5-gallon largest	5-gallon largest	5-gallon largest
Performance
Flow	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Coverage	Sufficient with 1 coat	Requires 2 coats	Sufficient with 1 coat
Workability	Excellent	Very Satisfactory	Excellent
Delivery	On stock through local supplier	On stock through local supplier	Guaranteed delivery within 24 hours
Purchase Price	$32/gallon$115/5-gallon cont.	$68/2 gallons (2 coats) $280/10-gallon cont.	$9/gallon with contract $40/5-gallon cont.
Life Cycle Cost	$[total above costs]	$	$

Your actual chart might be larger or more complex depending on the product or service being considered. Even with the help of the matrix, the decisions are not easy. What is the most environmentally preferable: a product made from a renewable resource or one made with recycled content, a product whose delivery is local and so reduces the use of fuel or one whose manufacture reduces energy and water? The answers to the decisions will depend on your site's needs and requirements and the particular situation. (Information on this web page is from The Competitive Advantage - EcoPurchasing published by Battelle Press, Columbus, Ohio.)