Application of Recycled Cardboard to Construction Based on Life Cycle Assessment

Srikanth Venkatesan (), Jingxuan Zhang, David Law, Rebecca Gravina and Satheeskumar Navaratnam
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Srikanth Venkatesan: Department of Civil & Infrastructure, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Jingxuan Zhang: Department of Civil & Infrastructure, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
David Law: Department of Civil & Infrastructure, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Rebecca Gravina: The School of Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Satheeskumar Navaratnam: Department of Civil & Infrastructure, STEM College, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-21

Abstract: Typical household recyclable bin in Australia contains around 60% of waste cardboard. Given the possibilities of developing a construction material, this study conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing the development of cardboard trusses with © timber trusses, encompassing production to construction. The results show that cardboard trusses offer significant environmental benefits, including a 73% reduction in climate change category, an 83% decrease in ozone-depleting potential, and almost complete avoidance of agricultural land occupation compared to timber trusses, showcasing their sustainability. In both material manufacturing and material transportation, cardboard trusses prioritize climate change mitigation, accounting for over half of the environmental impact. Timber trusses, in contrast, heavily impact land occupation and exhibit climate change dominance. A benefit analysis highlights advantages of cardboard trusses, particularly in reducing land occupation, sustainability, circular economy, and particulate matter formation. The life cycle cost analysis demonstrates an impressive 83% cost reduction for cardboard trusses compared to timber trusses, despite higher labor costs during manufacturing.

Keywords: cardboard; recycle; timber; life cycle analysis; truss; construction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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