Life cycle assessment (LCA) in construction materials – Review

J.G.R.O. Carvalho¹, D. Cecchin¹*, A.R.G. de Azevedo², D.F. do Carmo¹, J.L. Paes³, P.F.P. Ferraz⁴, L.S. Hamacher¹, K.A. Costa⁵, G. Rossi6 and G. Bambi⁶

¹Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Department of Agricultural Engineering and Environment, Street Passo da Pátria, n. 156, Boa Viagem, Niterói-RJ, Brazil
²North Fluminense State University (UENF), Civil Engineering Department,
Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
³Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
⁴Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Campus Universitário, postal scode 3037 Lavras, MG, Brazil
⁵Federal Fluminense University (UFF), Production Engineering Department, Avenida dos Trabalhadores, n. 420, Vila Santa Cecília, Volta Redonda-RJ, Brazil
⁶University of Firenze, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Via San Bonaventura 13, IT50145 Firenze, Italy
*Correspondence: daianececchin@id.uff.br

Abstract:

The construction industry is one of the most impactful sectors in terms of natural resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, demanding more sustainable and efficient solutions. This study systematically reviews the applicatication of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate sustainable materials and practices within the construction sector, emphasizing the replacement of tradicional materials with recycled, bioeconomic, and low-carbon alternatives. A systematic review was conducted using the Scopus database, covering studies published between 2020 and September 2024. The methodology included the use of VOS viewer software to generate keyword co-occurrence maps, aiding in the identification of emerging trends and patterns.

Key findings indicate substantial environmental benefits from incorporating industrial wastes, agricultural by-products, and bioeconomic materials, demonstrating substantial reductions in CO₂ emissions, energy consumption, and natural resource usage. The analysis also highlights emerging technologies, such as 3D printing and nanotechnology, as innovative tools that further enhance sustainability in construction. However, challenges persist, including limited availability of reliable regional data, methodological complexities, and gaps in integrating socio-economic variables into LCA analyses. This paper contributes to advancing sustainable construction by identifying critical gaps and challenges, proposing strategies for improved data collection, recommending enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, and suggesting increased governmental support and regulatory frameworks to promote broader adoption of LCA in industry practices.

Key words:

circular economy, construction materials, life cycle assessment, sustainability, waste

Review article: Current research trends in fruit and vegetables wastes and by-products management-Scope and opportunities in the Estonian context

D. Malenica* and R. Bhat

Estonian University of Life Sciences, Insitute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Siences, Kreutzwaldi 56/5, EE51006, Tartu, Estonia
*Correspondence: malenica.dunja@gmail.com; dunja.malenica@student.emu.ee

Abstract:

Globally on an annual scale, considerable amounts of fruit and vegetables wastes (FVW) are generated in the agri-food industrial sector. Costs insured for safe disposal of FVW remains uneconomical and they can pose a serious environmental hazard if left untreated. However, FVW have high potential for reuse, recycle and recovery, which is an indication that there are productive, sustainable and affordable ways of reducing and tackling them at the industrial levels. Recent years have seen progressive innovative research on FVW management strategies, which has been developed with an idea of reducing wastes and fully exploiting its potential. Further, FVW represents a potential source of valuable compounds and bioactive ingredients. Today, there are many proposed innovative approaches for handling the FVW. These include reintroducing sub-standard fruit and vegetables (small sized or misshaped fruit and vegetable) in the market, reusing FVW for soil amendments, composting, or as an animal feed, and much more. In addition, the extracted bioactive compounds from FVW and by-products can find wide applications as a natural additive in food, cosmetics and/or in pharmaceutical applications. Currently, novel cost effective strategies have been developed for effective valorisation of agri-food wastes and by-products. The field of FVW management is still limited, thus leaving a wide gap for new ideas, novelty and applications of more efficient green techniques for complete utilization of agri-food wastes and by-products. Some of the interesting aspects on wastes and by-products management are discussed in relevance to Europe and in Estonia.

Key words: