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Primary data makes your LCA more accurate, credible, and genuinely decision-ready.
But collecting it can feel like herding cats — suppliers, factories, and internal teams each hold small but crucial pieces of the puzzle. This guide helps you structure your first data-collection process with clarity, confidence, and minimal chaos.

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Why Primary Data Matters

  • 🌱 More accurate than generic databases
  • 🔍 Helps identify real hotspots in your production or supply chain
  • 🏆 Strengthens internal decision-making and customer trust
  • 📈 Supports data-driven sustainability improvements
Even partial primary data can dramatically improve your first assessment — don’t wait for perfection.

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Who to Ask (and What to Ask For)

Centralizing sustainability data from these groups makes future LCAs easier and helps teams collaborate around a shared foundation.

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🛠️ Sample Data Table (for Suppliers)

📌 Pro tip: Use consistent units and always include the year and source. You’ll thank yourself later.

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5 Golden Rules of Primary Data Collection

  1. Start simple — focus on major materials, energy use, and transport first.
  2. Avoid perfectionism — approximate values are better than no values.
  3. Document source & year — avoid losing context in anonymous spreadsheets.
  4. Ask for ranges — low/average/high values help reflect uncertainty.
  5. Keep a clean audit trail — consistent naming and version control save hours.
A clean data structure today means faster, scalable sustainability workflows tomorrow.

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Tools That Make It Easier

  • Google Forms or Typeform for supplier inputs
  • Shared folders (Notion, SharePoint) for internal logs
  • Excel sheets with dropdown fields for units
And for teams that want to streamline the entire workflow, Sustainly offers a transparent AI copilot that:
  • Flags missing or inconsistent units
  • Helps standardize materials across suppliers
  • Organizes primary data in a centralized sustainability hub
  • Supports both experts and beginners as they scale their assessments

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid

❌ Sending massive, complex spreadsheets nobody understands
❌ Requesting data suppliers don’t track
❌ Mixing years without documenting the difference
❌ Forgetting to standardize units
❌ Assuming one email will get a reply — follow-up is essential

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Final Tip

Your first LCA is always the hardest. The second becomes dramatically easier when your data is structured, centralized, and easy to update — especially with transparent AI sustainability tools supporting your workflow.

Start Structured

Build a simple, repeatable data format from day one.

Scale Confidently

Use AI-assisted workflows in Sustainly to expand across products and teams.