CO2 Emission and Cost Estimates of Wastepaper Sludge Ash in Controlled Low-Strength Material Towards Sustainability

Abstract

AbstractGlobally, the construction industry compensates for 36.9% of greenhouse gas pollution. Understanding the causes of these pollutants and their contribution to construction activity can help in climate change mitigation. CO2 emissions and cost estimates from wastepaper sludge ash (WSA) with recycled fine aggregate (RFA) in a controlled low-strength material (CLSM) were assessed and estimated in this study (CLSM). The study on the material’s entire production cycle was conducted using life cycle assessment (LCA) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines. The LCA recognises all stages of the process, while the IPCC guideline only considers CO2 emissions. Electricity, gasoline, and water intake are the three primary energy sources involved in this study. As a result, 21 virtual CLSM mixes were developed in this study, and the associated CO2 emissions and costs were estimated. According to the results, using WSA in CLSM decreases CO2 pollution and CO2 pricing by 49.71% per 1 m3 of CLSM. The research shows that WSA content and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) significantly affect CO2 emissions and cost. The CO2 emission and cost can differ significantly; similarly, the influence of WSA content on CO2 emission and cost is vast under the same binder content. Via this study, emissions can be assessed by means of appropriate environmental management practise as well as the cost of CO2 emissions is designed to facilitate sustainable use of the construction industry.KeywordsCO2 emissionControlled low-strength materialIPCCLCAWastepaper sludge ashRecycled fine aggregateUnconfined compressive strength