Abstract
The transition towards a Circular Economy (CE) in the built environment is vital to reduce resource consumption, emissions and waste generation. To support the development of circular building components, assessment metrics are needed. Previous work identified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as an important method to analyse the environmental performance in a CE context. However, questions arise about how to model and calculate circular buildings components. We develop an LCA model for circular building components in four steps. First, we elaborate on the CE principles and LCA standards to identify requirements and gaps. Second, we adapt LCA standards and propose the ‘Circular Economy Life Cycle Assessment’ (CE-LCA) model. Third, we test the model by assessing an exemplary building component: the Circular Kitchen (CIK). Finally, we evaluate the CE-LCA model with 44 experts. In the CE-LCA model, building components are considered as a composite of parts and materials with different and multiple use cycles; the system boundary is extended to include these cycles, dividing the impacts using a circular allocation approach. The case of the CIK shows that the CE-LCA model supports an ex-ante assessment of circular building components in theoretical context; it makes an important step to support the transition to a circular built environment.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Artikelnummer | 105683 |
Tidsskrift | Resources, Conservation and Recycling |
Vol/bind | 174 |
ISSN | 0921-3449 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - nov. 2021 |
Bibliografisk note
Funding Information:This research has been carried out in collaboration with researchers from Aalborg University, Denmark and Delft University of Technology. The research was part of the research projects ?REHAB? (carried out by the Delft University of Technology) and ?Circular Kitchen (CIK)? (carried out by Delft University of Technology and Chalmers University of Technology). As such, this research has received funding from the Delft University of Technology, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, EIT Climate-KIC and the REHAB project partners.
Funding Information:
This research has been carried out in collaboration with researchers from Aalborg University, Denmark and Delft University of Technology. The research was part of the research projects “REHAB” (carried out by the Delft University of Technology) and “Circular Kitchen (CIK)” (carried out by Delft University of Technology and Chalmers University of Technology). As such, this research has received funding from the Delft University of Technology, Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, EIT Climate-KIC and the REHAB project partners.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021