The construction sector has a significant impact on the environment in terms of raw material consumption, energy sources used and gas emissions. Environmental policies increasingly promote a transition to a circular economy to optimise the use of resources. Scientific studies show that the most impactful phases during the life of a building are the operational phase and the production of building materials. The use of natural materials is to be favoured because, unlike others, their production has limited consumption and polluting emissions. The use of by-products from other production chains can make an effective contribution to sustainable building management. Several LCA studies have shown how their use in the formulation of premixed materials makes a positive contribution to the product’s environmental footprint. Their presence, in fact, limits the extraction of raw materials, reducing the environmental impacts associated with this stage of the production process. Valorising production waste/by-products generates two advantages: turning waste material into a resource and the consequent reduction in the amount of waste to be disposed of. In addition, other LCA studies have shown the benefits of using local products by reducing the emissions associated with their transport. Combining the effects of both, using local by-products, would improve the environmental performance of the finished product and the entire production sector.

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Measuring the Environmental Impact of Building Materials Containing By-Products

  • Grazia Massimino,
  • Bruna D’Agata

摘要

The construction sector has a significant impact on the environment in terms of raw material consumption, energy sources used and gas emissions. Environmental policies increasingly promote a transition to a circular economy to optimise the use of resources. Scientific studies show that the most impactful phases during the life of a building are the operational phase and the production of building materials. The use of natural materials is to be favoured because, unlike others, their production has limited consumption and polluting emissions. The use of by-products from other production chains can make an effective contribution to sustainable building management. Several LCA studies have shown how their use in the formulation of premixed materials makes a positive contribution to the product’s environmental footprint. Their presence, in fact, limits the extraction of raw materials, reducing the environmental impacts associated with this stage of the production process. Valorising production waste/by-products generates two advantages: turning waste material into a resource and the consequent reduction in the amount of waste to be disposed of. In addition, other LCA studies have shown the benefits of using local products by reducing the emissions associated with their transport. Combining the effects of both, using local by-products, would improve the environmental performance of the finished product and the entire production sector.