Quantifying the Carbon Reduction Potential of Recycling Construction Waste Based on Life Cycle Assessment: A Case of Jiangsu Province

Hongmei Liu, Rong Guo, Junjie Tian, Honghao Sun, Yi Wang, Haiyan Li () and Lu Yao ()
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Hongmei Liu: School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Rong Guo: School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Junjie Tian: School of Mechanical Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Honghao Sun: School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Yi Wang: School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Haiyan Li: Engineering Training Center, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
Lu Yao: School of Transportation and Civil Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: The recycling of construction waste is key to reducing waste generation and CO 2 emissions. This study aimed to develop a quantitative model for analyzing the carbon reduction potential of recycling construction, demolition, and renovation waste (CDRW) in Jiangsu province. The waste generation rate calculation method and nonlinear autoregressive artificial neural network model were used to estimate and predict CDRW generation. The life cycle assessment was performed to calculate the carbon reduction potential of recycling CDRW. In quantifying the carbon reduction potential, not only construction and demolition waste, but also renovation waste was considered for the first time. The results showed that the total carbon reduction potential of recycling CDRW increased from 3.94 Mt CO 2 e in 2000 to 58.65 Mt CO 2 e in 2020. Steel and concrete were the main contributors. By scenario analysis, the carbon reduction potential of fully recycling CDRW in 2020 increased by 37.79 Mt CO 2 e, a growth rate of 64%. The study further predicts future CDRW generation and the corresponding carbon reduction potential. Our conclusions indicate that 245.45 Mt of CDRW will be generated in 2030, and carbon reduction potential may reach 82.36 Mt CO 2 e. These results will help the government manage construction waste better and reach early achievement of the carbon peak target.

Keywords: construction waste; recycling; carbon reduction potential; generation; life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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