scholarly journals An Evaluation of Recycled Polymeric Materials Usage in Denim with Lifecycle Assesment Methodology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedef Uncu Aki ◽  
Cevza Candan ◽  
Banu Nergis ◽  
Neslihan Sebla Önder
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
World Economy ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Virgin Material ◽  
Material Input

Today, World economy is only 8.6% circular, which creates a huge potential in materials reuse. To close the Emission Gap by 2032, this percentage needs to be doubled. The circular economy ensures that with less virgin material input and fewer emissions. With the help of effective recycling technologies, virgin material use can be decreased and especially petroleum based materials impact can fall within planetary boundaries. This book chapter analyzes different chemical and biological recycling technologies, their advantages and challenges in denim production. Moreover, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis will be used to evaluate the environmental impact of recycled polymeric materials usage in denim fabrics. Finally, it concludes by challenges and the future of chemically recycled materials in denim production and opportunities to evaluate waste as a raw material to design circular systems.

scholarly journals Methodology for the quantification of concrete sustainability

2018 ◽  
Vol 174 ◽  
pp. 01006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Břetislav Teplý ◽  
Tomáš Vymazal ◽  
Pavla Rovnaníková
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Service Life ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Load Bearing Capacity ◽  
Sustainability Management

Efficient sustainability management requires the use of tools which allow material, technological and construction variants to be quantified, measured or compared. These tools can be used as a powerful marketing aid and as support for the transition to “circular economy”. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) procedures are also used, aside from other approaches. LCA is a method that evaluates the life cycle of a structure from the point of view of its impact on the environment. Consideration is given also to energy and raw material costs, as well as to environmental impact throughout the life cycle - e.g. due to emissions. The paper focuses on the quantification of sustainability connected with the use of various types of concrete with regard to their resistance to degradation. Sustainability coefficients are determined using information regarding service life and "eco-costs". The aim is to propose a suitable methodology which can simplify decision-making in the design and choice of concrete mixes from a wider perspective, i.e. not only with regard to load-bearing capacity or durability.

scholarly journals A Life Cycle Assessment of reprocessing face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart van Straten ◽  
Sharina Ligtelijn ◽  
Lieke Droog ◽  
Esther Putman ◽  
Jenny Dankelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Monte Carlo Model ◽  
Rejection Rate ◽  
Medical Products ◽  
Circular Design

Abstract Introduction/background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to threatening shortages in the healthcare of medical products such as face masks. Due to this major impact on our healthcare society, an initiative was conducted between March and July 2020 for reprocessing face masks from 19 different hospitals. This exceptional opportunity was used to study the cost impact and the effects of the CO2 footprint of reprocessed face masks relative to new disposable face masks.Aim: The aim of this study is to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess and compare the environmental impact of disposed versus reprocessed face masks.Methods: In total, 18,166 high-quality medical FFP2 face masks were reprocessed through steam sterilization between March and July 2020. CO2 emissions equivalent (kg CO2 eq) and other impact categories, such as water consumption during production, transport, sterilisation and end-of-life processes, were assessed. A Monte Carlo model was used to predict the sensitivity of different factors in the whole process on the kg CO2 eq.Results: The average kg CO2 eq appears to be 42% lower for reprocessed face masks based on a rejection rate of 20% than new ones. The sensitivity analysis indicated that the loading capacity of the autoclave and rejection rate of face masks have a large influence on kg CO2 eq. The estimated cost price of a reprocessed mask was €1,40 against €1.55.Discussion: The life cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrates that reprocessed FFP2 face masks from a circular economy perspective have a lower environmental impact on kg CO2 eq and water usage than new face masks. For policymakers, it is important to realize that the CO2 footprint of medical products such as face masks may be reduced by means of circular economy strategies.Conclusion: This study demonstrated a lower environmental impact and financial burden for reprocessed medical face masks than for new face masks without compromising qualifications. Therefore, this study may serve as an inspiration for investigating the reprocessing of other medical products that may become scarce. Finally, this study advocates that circular design engineering principles should be taken into account when designing medical devices. This may lead to more sustainable products that require less CO2, have less water consumption and lower costs.

scholarly journals Environmental Impact of Lumber Production using Life Cycle Assessment: A Case Study of the Production System in South-west Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Femi K Owofadeju ◽  
Omeiza A Agbaje ◽  
Temitayo A Ewemoje
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Production System ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Milling Process ◽  
Wood Waste ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Diesel Generator ◽  
Support Tool

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a decision support tool that can be used to evaluate the potential environmental impact of a product system. Environmental impact associated with the production of (0.0508×0.1524×3.6576) m lumber referred to as “2by6” in the primary wood industry was evaluated. This assessment is a cradle to gate system with boundaries spanning from the point of raw material extraction in Osun state, to transportation of the lumber product to wood market in Ibadan, Oyo state. The study compared four production scenarios by varying haulage distance and energy source during production at two sawmill facilities located in Ife and Ikire in Osun state. Data obtained from the production system were analysed using GaBi6 software to estimate and classify the emissions into five impact categories. Life Cycle Impact Assessment result (LCIA) showed that Acidification Potential (AP), Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Smog Potential (SP) were the most significant impact indicators observed in the four production scenarios. AP (2.883, 3.352, 3.483, 3.951) kg H+ mole-Equiv, GWP (13.25, 14.44, 15.45, 16.65) kg CO2-Equiv and SP (1.86, 2.15, 2.24, 2.53) kg O3-Equiv. Scenario 4 which involved a longer transportation distance and employed a diesel generator for the milling process showed the least environmental performance. Processes that contributed significant impact were wood waste disposal method employed and the secondary transportation processes during logging activities. In order to achieve a better production system, practices that encourage less waste generation and the use of renewable energy were recommended.Keywords— LCA, lumber production, environmental impact, wood waste

Life Cycle Assessment of Circular Bio-Based Construction

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Cascione ◽  
Matt Roberts ◽  
Stephen Allen ◽  
Barrie Dams ◽  
Daniel Maskell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Service Life ◽  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Natural Materials ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Sequestration Potential

The construction sector is a large consumer of non-renewable resources and it is responsible of 44% of global energy related CO2 emissions. Circular economy is an emerging strategy that has potential to make significant improvements in the construction industry, by taking efficient and sustainable actions against climate change. The principles of circular economy are to minimise the waste of resources, by maximizing materials' performances, whilst in use, and recycle and regenerate them at the end of their service life. Natural materials can potentially be suitable in this strategy, due to the use of renewable resources, carbon sequestration potential, and high suitability for reuse and recycling. The development of bio-based wall panel is a first step into the integration of a circular economy approach in the construction sector. In this study, vapour responsive bio-based panel prototypes with low thermal transmittance (U<0.20 W/m2K) are being designed, taking into consideration the burdens and benefits of natural materials over their entire life cycle. The challenge is to assess the environmental impact of the panels during their design and production, maximise performance and life span, when in use, and regenerate and recycle panel components at the end of the service life. In this paper, a life cycle assessment of a prototype bio-based panel designed with circular economy principles is investigated. The environmental impact of the panel is analysed to investigate limitation in assessing emissions and use of resources in a circular prospective. The objective of the research is to integrate environmental impact analysis during the early stage of panel design. This will put the basis for the development of a sustainable and circular building industry and for identifying area of improvements for the development of sustainable circular panels with expected hygrothermal benefits conferred using bio-based materials.

Application of Life Cycle Assessment in Agricultural Circular Economy

2012 ◽  
Vol 260-261 ◽  
pp. 1086-1091
Author(s):  
Xiao Xian Zhang ◽  
Fang Ma ◽  
Li Wang
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Agriculture Policy ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Agricultural Circular Economy ◽  
Technical Framework

Life cycle assessment is a technique to assess potential environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product, process or service. This paper introduces life cycle assessment into the full process of agricultural circular economy. There are increasing environmental risks associated with agricultural circular economy; however, no appropriate assessment and analysis techniques on environmental impact are available. Due to the lack of special life cycle assessment database and available methodology in agricultural circular economy, we proposed a life cycle assessment technical framework with emphasis on problems associated with traditional agricultural circular economy life cycle assessment. This paper is aimed to produce reliable information on the environmental impact assessment for agriculture policy-makers, producers and consumers to help them choose sustainable development agricultural products and processes.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Reductants in the Ferromanganese Alloy Production: A Review

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Gerrit Ralf Surup ◽  
Anna Trubetskaya ◽  
Merete Tangstad
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Sustainable Production ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Socioeconomic Impacts ◽  
Production Route ◽  
High Efficient

This study examined the literature on life cycle assessment on the ferromanganese alloy production route. The environmental impacts of raw material acquisition through the production of carbon reductants to the production of ferromanganese alloys were examined and compared. The transition from the current fossil fuel-based production to a more sustainable production route was reviewed. Besides the environmental impact, policy and socioeconomic impacts were considered due to evaluation course of differences in the production routes. Charcoal has the potential to substantially replace fossil fuel reductants in the upcoming decades. The environmental impact from current ferromanganese alloy production can be reduced by ≥20% by the charcoal produced in slow pyrolysis kilns, which can be further reduced by ≥50% for a sustainable production in high-efficient retorts. Certificated biomass can ensure a sustainable growth to avoid deforestation and acidification of the environment. Although greenhouse gas emissions from transport are low for the ferromanganese alloy production, they may increase due to the low bulk density of charcoal and the decentralized production of biomass. However, centralized charcoal retorts can provide additional by-products or biofuel and ensure better product quality for the industrial application. Further upgrading of charcoal can finally result in a CO2 neutral ferromanganese alloy production for the renewable power supply.

scholarly journals An Environmental Evaluation of the Cut-Flower Supply Chain (Dendranthema grandiflora) Through a Life Cycle Assessment

Revista EIA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (31) ◽  
pp. 27-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Alicia Parrado Moreno ◽  
Ricardo Esteba Ricardo Hernández ◽  
Héctor Iván Velásquez Arredondo ◽  
Sergio Hernando Lopera Castro ◽  
Christian Hasenstab --
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Cut Flowers ◽  
Environmental Evaluation ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Transport Phase

Colombia is a major flower exporter of a wide variety of species, among which the chrysanthemum plays a major role due to its exporting volume and profitability on the international market. This study examines the major environmental impacts of the chrysanthemum supply chain through a life cycle assessment (LCA). One kg of stems export quality was used as the functional unit (FU). The study examines cut-flowers systems from raw material extraction to final product commercialization for two markets (London and Miami) and analyzes two agroecosystems: one certified system and one uncertified system. The transport phase to London resulted in more significant environmental impacts than the transport phase to Miami, and climate change (GWP100) category was significant in both cities, generating values of 9.10E+00 and 2.51E+00 kg CO2-eq*FU for London and Miami, respectively. Furthermore, when exclusively considering pre-export phases, the uncertified system was found to have a greater impact than the certified system with respect to fertilizer use (certified 1,448E-02 kg*FU, uncertified 2.23E-01 kg*FU) and pesticide use (certified 1.24 E-04 kg*FU, uncertified 2.24E-03 kg*FU). With respect to the crop management, eutrophication (EP) and acidification (AP) processes imposed the greatest level of environmental impact. Strategies that would significantly reduce the environmental impact of this supply chain are considered, including the use of shipping and a 50% reduction in fertilizer use.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Environmental Impact of Cement Production in Algeria Using Life Cycle Assessment

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
S. Boughrara ◽  
M. Chedri ◽  
K. Louhab
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Cement Production ◽  
Dry Process ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Inputs And Outputs

The aim of this study is the use of Life Cycle Assessment, to evaluate the impact generated by cement manufactory situated in Sour EL Ghozlane town in Algeria country, which use the dry process to produce cement Portland. The LCA method is used for compiling and examining the inputs and outputs of energy, raw material and environmental impacts directly attributable to the manufacture and functioning of a product throughout its life. It is also used to determine element and energy contributing to each impact evaluated. Potentials impacts are evaluated using the SimaProV.7.1 software and IMPACT2000+ method in this study.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Environmental Sustainability of Hemp as a Building Material, through Life Cycle Assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 1215-1228
Author(s):  
Salvatore Emanuele Di Capua ◽  
Luisa Paolotti ◽  
Elisa Moretti ◽  
Lucia Rocchi ◽  
Antonio Boggia
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Building Material ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Ecological Design ◽  
Sustainable Procurement

Abstract Environmental issues, especially those related to the over-exploitation of natural resources, are leading towards considering alternative solutions and new approaches, such as the circular economy. Currently, some key elements of the circular economy approach are sustainable procurement of raw materials, improvement of production processes and ecological design, adoption of more sustainable distribution and consumption models, development of secondary raw material markets. This work aims to analyse the use of hemp as a building material, replacing traditional construction materials, but respecting at the same time the thermal, insulating and acoustic characteristics required in the construction of a building. The methodology used was Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which considered the hemp cultivation phase and the production phase of hemp-lime (“hempcrete”) walls. The hempcrete product was compared with two different solutions: a hemp and lime block, and a traditional perforated brick block with external insulation in polystyrene. In particular, the differences among the products in terms of embodied energy and net CO2 emissions were analysed. Results showed that the hempcrete wall had better environmental performances than the other two solutions.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of an Integrated Solar PV and Wind Power System in Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 36-47
Author(s):  
Quyen Le Luu ◽  
Binh Van Doan ◽  
Ninh Quang Nguyen ◽  
Nam Hoai Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Power Model ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Central Highland

In Vietnam, energy generation accounts for more than half of the national greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. This sector has tremendous potential for emission reduction through the exploitation of renewable energy resources. This study examines the environmental impact of grid-connected solar and wind power in Vietnam, with a focus on GHG emissions. A life cycle assessment was conducted for these purposes. A case study of an integrated 50 kWp solar photovoltaics (PV) and 6 kW wind power model in the Central Highland of Vietnam was selected to illustrate the environmental impact of solar and wind power in Vietnam. The environmental inflows and outflows were quantified from raw material extraction for manufacturing components of the model, such as the panels, turbines, inverters and subsidiary components, to the end of life of the model. OpenLCA software was used for the calculation, with background data from publications and free LCA databases. The results obtained indicate that the life cycle GHG emissions are 20 gCO2e/kWh of solar PV, 3.7 gCO2e/kWh of wind power, and the total emission of the model during its 25-year lifetime is 38.28 tCO2e. If solar and wind power replace grid power, the lifetime emission reduction of the integrated solar and wind power model would be 1.8 thousand tCO2e.

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