A closed-loop life cycle assessment of recycled aggregate concrete utilization in China. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ding, Tao; Xiao, Jianzhuang; Tam, Vivian W.Y.
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 56(2016)
• Page Start: 367
• Page End: 375
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) -- Recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) -- Life cycle assessment (LCA) -- Closed-loop -- Environmental impact -- China; NAC natural aggregate concrete -- RAC recycled aggregate concrete -- NCA natural coarse aggregate -- RCA recycled coarse aggregate -- C&D construction and demolition -- GWP global warming potential -- CED cumulated energy demand -- CMR consumption of mineral resources -- LCA life cycle assessment -- LCI life cycle inventory -- ISO International Organization for Standardization -- CNMLCA China Centre of National Material Life Cycle Assessment; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.05.031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: A closed-loop LCA on RAC utilization in China with entire local LCI is performed. Comparative results on environmental impact between NAC and RAC is achieved. Possible opportunity for lowering environmental impact of RAC is proposed. Abstract: This paper studies the potential environmental impact of recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) for concrete production in China. According to the cradle-to-cradle theory, a closed-loop life cycle assessment (LCA) on recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) utilization in China with entire local life cycle inventory (LCI) is performed, regarding the environmental influence of cement content, aggregate production, transportation and waste landfilling. Special attention is paid on the primary resource and energy conservation, as well as climate protection induced by RAC applications. Environmental impact between natural aggregate concrete (NAC) and RAC are also compared. It is shown that cement proportion and transportation are the top two contributors for carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions and energy consumption for both NAC and RAC. Sensitivity analysis also proves that long delivery distances for natural coarse aggregate (NCA) leave a possible opportunity for lowering environmental impact of RAC in China.