Potential Energy Savings from Circular Economy Scenarios Based on Construction and Agri-Food Waste in Italy

Patrizia Ghisellini, Amos Ncube, Gianni D’Ambrosio, Renato Passaro and Sergio Ulgiati
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Patrizia Ghisellini: Department of Engineering, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80143 Naples, Italy
Amos Ncube: International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development” Department of Science and Technology, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80143 Naples, Italy
Gianni D’Ambrosio: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, 84080 Salerno, Italy
Renato Passaro: Department of Engineering, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80143 Naples, Italy
Sergio Ulgiati: Department of Science and Technology, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80143 Naples, Italy

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 24, 1-23

Abstract: In this study, our aim was to explore the potential energy savings obtainable from the recycling of 1 tonne of Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) generated in the Metropolitan City of Naples. The main fraction composing the functional unit are mixed C&DW, soil and stones, concrete, iron, steel and aluminium. The results evidence that the recycling option for the C&DW is better than landfilling as well as that the production of recycled aggregates is environmentally sustainable since the induced energy and environmental impacts are lower than the avoided energy and environmental impacts in the life cycle of recycled aggregates. This LCA study shows that the transition to the Circular Economy offers many opportunities for improving the energy and environmental performances of the construction sector in the life cycle of construction materials by means of internal recycling strategies (recycling C&DW into recycled aggregates, recycled steel, iron and aluminum) as well as external recycling by using input of other sectors (agri-food by-products) for the manufacturing of construction materials. In this way, the C&D sector also contributes to realizing the energy and bioeconomy transition by disentangling itself from fossil fuel dependence.

Keywords: energy savings; circular economy; construction and demolition waste; recycled aggregates; agri-food by-products (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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