Embodied carbon saving of reusing concrete elements in new buildings: A Swedish pilot study

Abstract

Reusing the building elements is the highest possible level of circularity for buildings that must be demolished, potentially slowing down climate change. This study explores the embodied carbon reduction of construction of a pilot building with structural elements of reused concrete. The assessment focuses on applying different methodological approaches and discussing the upscaling opportunities of reusing concrete elements from a global warming potential perspective. The assessment shows large embodied carbon savings compared to conventional building practices like recycling the concrete and building with new low-carbon and prefabricated elements. Embodied carbon saving is also obvious when applying alternative system modelling, future market projection and different allocation approaches of the production emissions of the elements. Finally, the study emphasises the need for further research in evaluating the benefits of reusing structural concrete elements broadly, like including the deconstruction impact related to elements for reuse, to be able to draw general conclusions.