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Life Cycle Assessment and Optimization-Based Decision Analysis of Construction Waste Recycling for a LEED-Certified University Building

Author

Listed:
  • Murat Kucukvar

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Sehir University, Uskudar, Istanbul 34662, Turkey
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Gokhan Egilmez

    (Department of Civil, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Omer Tatari

    (Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The current waste management literature lacks a comprehensive LCA of the recycling of construction materials that considers both process and supply chain-related impacts as a whole. Furthermore, an optimization-based decision support framework has not been also addressed in any work, which provides a quantifiable understanding about the potential savings and implications associated with recycling of construction materials from a life cycle perspective. The aim of this research is to present a multi-criteria optimization model, which is developed to propose economically-sound and environmentally-benign construction waste management strategies for a LEED-certified university building. First, an economic input-output-based hybrid life cycle assessment model is built to quantify the total environmental impacts of various waste management options: recycling, conventional landfilling and incineration. After quantifying the net environmental pressures associated with these waste treatment alternatives, a compromise programming model is utilized to determine the optimal recycling strategy considering environmental and economic impacts, simultaneously. The analysis results show that recycling of ferrous and non-ferrous metals significantly contributed to reductions in the total carbon footprint of waste management. On the other hand, recycling of asphalt and concrete increased the overall carbon footprint due to high fuel consumption and emissions during the crushing process. Based on the multi-criteria optimization results, 100% recycling of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, cardboard, plastic and glass is suggested to maximize the environmental and economic savings, simultaneously. We believe that the results of this research will facilitate better decision making in treating construction and debris waste for LEED-certified green buildings by combining the results of environmental LCA with multi-objective optimization modeling.

Suggested Citation

  • Murat Kucukvar & Gokhan Egilmez & Omer Tatari, 2016. "Life Cycle Assessment and Optimization-Based Decision Analysis of Construction Waste Recycling for a LEED-Certified University Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:1:p:89-:d:62374
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Rakhyun Kim & Myung-Kwan Lim & Seungjun Roh & Won-Jun Park, 2021. "Analysis of the Characteristics of Environmental Impacts According to the Cut-Off Criteria Applicable to the Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) of Apartment Buildings in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, March.
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    4. Murat Kucukvar & Khalel Ahmed Alawi & Galal M. Abdella & Muhammet Enis Bulak & Nuri C. Onat & Melih Bulu & Murat Yalçıntaş, 2021. "A frontier‐based managerial approach for relative sustainability performance assessment of the world's airports," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(1), pages 89-107, January.
    5. Alexander Koutamanis & Boukje Van Reijn & Ellen Van Bueren, 2017. "Anticipating urban mining," ERES eres2017_70, European Real Estate Society (ERES).
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    8. Aleksander Banasik & Jacqueline M. Bloemhof-Ruwaard & Argyris Kanellopoulos & G. D. H. Claassen & Jack G. A. J. Vorst, 2018. "Multi-criteria decision making approaches for green supply chains: a review," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 30(3), pages 366-396, September.
    9. Hua-Yueh Liu, 2019. "Sustainable Reuse of Military Facilities with a Carbon Inventory: Kinmen, Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-12, March.
    10. Aktar, Asikha & Alam, Md. Mahmudul & Harun, Mukaramah, 2022. "Energy Efficiency Policies in Malaysia: A Critical Evaluation from the Sustainable Development Perspective," OSF Preprints 9cf3a, Center for Open Science.
    11. Jonggeon Lee & Sungho Tae & Rakhyun Kim, 2018. "A Study on the Analysis of CO 2 Emissions of Apartment Housing in the Construction Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, January.
    12. Jaime A. Mesa & Carlos Fúquene-Retamoso & Aníbal Maury-Ramírez, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment on Construction and Demolition Waste: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-22, July.
    13. Ziyuan Liu & Yingzhao Wu & Tianle Liu & Xiaoxue Wang & Wenzhuo Li & Ying Yin & Xiangfei Xiao, 2021. "Double Path Optimization of Transport of Industrial Hazardous Waste Based on Green Supply Chain Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, May.
    14. Liu, Haiyue & Wang, Yile & Shi, Xiaoshuang & Pang, Lina, 2022. "How do environmental policies affect capital market reactions? Evidence from China's construction waste treatment policy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).

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