Life cycle assessment of adoption of local recycled aggregates and green concrete in Singapore perspective. (15th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shan, Xin; Zhou, Jin; Chang, Victor W.-C.; Yang, En-Hua
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 164(2017)
• Page Start: 918
• Page End: 926
• Publication Date: 2017-10-15
• Subjects: Life cycle assessment (LCA) -- Construction and demolition waste (C&DW) -- Recycled aggregates -- Material importation and transportation -- Life cycle inventory (LCI); Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Singapore is a city-state with limited land space and resources, and most construction materials are imported from foreign countries. In this study, a detailed whole building life cycle assessment (LCA) of a base case building in Singapore as well as material LCA were conducted with customized life cycle inventory datasets by considering materials importation and transportation in particular, and by considering the effects of adopting local recycled aggregates. Results showed that importation and transportation of construction materials significantly alter environmental impacts. This highlights the necessity of considering transportation for importing materials in Singapore context. Inclusion of local recycled aggregates for concrete production to reduce potential environmental load is significant. This suggests adoption of local recycled aggregates is an important strategy for the development of sustainable construction in Singapore. Highlights: Environmental impacts of adopting local recycled aggregates in Singapore context was evaluated through LCA; Customized LCI by considering materials importation and transportation in Singapore context was established; These result in significant differences in the environmental impact; Use of local recycled aggregates is an important strategy for the development of sustainable construction in Singapore.