The selection of the materials for the production of aerospace engine products is directly related to their performance in tough working conditions. However, the extraction of the materials requires high amounts of energy, use water and emit CO2, which can be directly related with environmental sustainability. The abundance of the materials and their sourcing and geographical location can be further related to economic and social sustainability. Manufacturing companies look for different materials and cutting data that will optimize material removal rate, cutting tool utilization, required cutting time, costs, energy used, CO2 footprint, coolants, etc. Here is presented a simple methodology to calculate the sustainability impact of the selection of materials. The study compares a simplified theoretical work piece that is geometrically complex and made of difficult to machine material, e.g. Ti-6Al-4V and MP159. The study shows how to select the optimal material, not only in terms of costs, but also in terms of environmental, societal and economical sustainability. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.