Life cycle of buildings, demolition and recycling potential: A case study in Turin, Italy

Blengini, Gian Andrea

doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2008.03.007

Cited by 429 publications

(210 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…While it can help construction companies make decisions when selecting suppliers and materials or waste management [15][16][17], for instance, governmental organizations can use the LCA methodology for planning, establishing priorities, taxation policies, R&D programs, etc. Finally, the LCA results mean owners can be aware of the environmental impact their building has.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

et al. 2013

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This paper demonstrates how to achieve energy savings in the construction and operation of buildings by promoting the use of life cycle assessment techniques in the design for new buildings and for refurbishment. The paper aims to draw on the application of a specific methodology for low energy consumption, integrated planning, environmental performance evaluation of buildings, and design for sustainability and LCA techniques applied to buildings. The ENergy Saving through promotion of LIfe Cycle assessment in buildings (ENSLIC) methodology based on LCA for use in an integral planning process has been promoted to stakeholders who require a means to optimize the environmental performance of buildings. Feedback from the stakeholders has facilitated the creation of simplified LCA guidelines, a systematic approach guiding the user through the alternative options regarding software choices, their strengths and weaknesses, the databases available, the usefulness of different indicators, aggregation, definition of limits and options for simplifying the process. As a result, this paper presents the applied results of a case study where this methodology is implemented serving as an energy savings evaluation tool for decision makers, end-users, professionals involved in the different stages of construction, etc. Finally, it is demonstrated how LCA can facilitate comparisons between different buildings, showing the influence of all variables on a building's life cycle environmental impact and showing the potential for energy savings. Removing market barriers to sustainable construction is actually stricter and this is good news for promoting higher energy efficiency in buildings.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

et al. 2013

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“…However, recycling building materials is considered to be essential in reducing the environmental burden associated with materials embodied in the building (Thormark, 2002) -an observation supported by the case study by Blengini (2009) in Turin, Italy, which revealed that recycling could reduce life cycle energy by approximately 30% and GHG emissions by 18%. For some materials, such as steel or aluminium, recycling can confer savings of more than half the embodied energy as well as GHG emissions (Yan et al, 2010).…”

Section: Deconstruction and Waste Disposalmentioning

confidence: 81%

Carbon dioxide reduction in the building life cycle: a critical review

Ng¹,

Wong²,

Skitmore³

et al. 2012

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering

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The construction industry is known to be a major contributor to environmental pressures due to its high energy consumption and carbon dioxide generation. The growing amount of carbon dioxide emissions over buildings' life cycles has prompted academics and professionals to initiate various studies relating to this problem. Researchers have been exploring carbon dioxide reduction methods for each phase of the building life cycle – from planning and design, materials production, materials distribution and construction process, maintenance and renovation, deconstruction and disposal, to the material reuse and recycle phase. This paper aims to present the state of the art in carbon dioxide reduction studies relating to the construction industry. Studies of carbon dioxide reduction throughout the building life cycle are reviewed and discussed, including those relating to green building design, innovative low carbon dioxide materials, green construction methods, energy efficiency schemes, life cycle energy analysis, construction waste management, reuse and recycling of materials and the cradle-to-cradle concept. The review provides building practitioners and researchers with a better understanding of carbon dioxide reduction potential and approaches worldwide. Opportunities for carbon dioxide reduction can thereby be maximised over the building life cycle by creating environmentally benign designs and using low carbon dioxide materials.

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“…The assumption satisfies the reality of local wood waste treatment and scrap steel disposal. However, a study done by Blengini 35 showed that building material recycling has the potential to save between 18% and 35% on GWP over the building's life cycle.…”

Section: End-of-life Scenario Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

potential of South African timber products to reduce the environmental impact of buildings

Crafford¹,

Blumentritt²,

Wessels³

2017

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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South Africa was the first country in Africa to implement a locally developed green building rating tool and has a growing number of rated green building projects. The method of life-cycle assessment can help to compare and assess the environmental performance of building products. At present, more than 70% of all sawn timber in South Africa is used in buildings, mainly in roof structures. Light gauge steel trusses have recently also been gaining market share. However, to date, no studies have been conducted that quantify and compare the environmental impacts of the different roof truss systems in South Africa. We thus compared several roof truss systems (South African pine, Biligom and light gauge steel) found in low- and medium-income house designs in South Africa using a simplified life-cycle assessment approach. Our results show that the two timber systems had overall the lowest environmental impact. Although the difference between the timber systems was small, light gauge steel had a 40% higher normalised impact over all assessed environmental impact categories. The benefit of biogenic carbon dioxide present in timber proved to play a significant positive role in the global warming potential impact and could even be further reduced if wood were used to generate energy at its end-of-life. This study demonstrates the potential advantage of using local timber products to reduce the environmental impact of the truss and building industry in South Africa.

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Life cycle of buildings, demolition and recycling potential: A case study in Turin, Italy

Cited by 429 publications

References 10 publications

Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

Carbon dioxide reduction in the building life cycle: a critical review

potential of South African timber products to reduce the environmental impact of buildings

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