Material Life Cycle Assessment Research Articles

An MFA-LCA framework for goal-oriented waste management studies: 'Zero Waste to Landfill' strategies for institutions.

Institutions such as university communities can be considered miniature versions of the larger society in which they exist. Nonetheless even though it should be easier to manage waste at an institution, their waste management (WM) programmes are typically lack an overall goal for improving environmental impact and are not optimally structured or operated. In part this is due to a lack of a framework that promotes a goal-oriented WM strategy. For instance, zero waste (ZW) to landfill studies have gained prominence in recent years, but generally there is a lack of clear guidance on how to carry out ZW strategies effectively at either, municipal or institutional levels. To fill this gap, this study aims to provide a framework that enables institutions to develop a goal-oriented WM strategy applying the principles of material flow analysis and life cycle assessment. The framework assumes that no prior data are available, and a study will therefore begin by collecting primary data followed by secondary data. The case study is presented in this article, along with the introduction of the framework, using ZW management scenarios in the Istanbul Technical University Ayazağa Campus. The results of the case study show that, it is not possible to achieve ZW to landfill on university campuses. And simply diverting waste from landfill (min 74% to max ~100%) does not necessarily lead to circularity (min 20% to max ~66%) or directly address public attitudes towards ZW goals.

Environmental footprint and material composition comparison of single-use and reusable duodenoscopes.

Infection outbreaks associated with contaminated reusable duodenoscopes (RUDs) have induced the development of novel single-use duodenoscopes (SUDs). This study aimed to analyze the material composition and life cycle assessment (LCA) of RUDs and SUDs to assess the sustainability of global and partial SUD implementation. A single-center study evaluated material composition analysis and LCA of one RUD and two SUDs from different manufacturers (A/B). Material composition analysis was performed to evaluate the thermochemical properties of the duodenoscope components. The carbon footprint was calculated using environmental software. We compared the sustainability strategies of universal use of RUDs, frequent use of RUDs with occasional SUDs, and universal use of SUDs over the lifetime of one RUD. RUDs were substantially heavier (3489 g) than both SUD-A (943 g) and SUD-B (716 g). RUDs were mainly metal alloys (95%), whereas SUDs were mainly plastic polymers and resins (70%-81%). The LCA demonstrated the sustainability of RUDs, with a life cycle carbon footprint 62-82 times lower than universal use of SUDs (152 vs. 10 512-12 640 kg CO2eq) and 10 times lower than occasional use of SUDs (152 vs. 1417-1677 kg CO2eq). Differences were observed between SUD-A and SUD-B (7.9 vs. 6.6 kg CO2eq per endoscope). End-of-life incineration emissions for SUDs were the greatest environmental contributors. Widespread adoption of SUDs has greater environmental challenges; it requires a balance between infection control and environmental responsibility. Carbon footprint labelling can help healthcare institutions make sustainable choices and promote environmentally responsible healthcare practices.

Resources, energy consumption and economic analysis for flame synthesis of ternary cathode materials

Cathode materials account for around one third of the manufacturing cost of lithium-ion battery, which are the major factor preventing the wider applications of power battery packs. Flame synthesis (FS) is a new manufacturing technology of nanostructured materials with few equipment and high efficiency, which potentially can substantially bring down the manufacturing cost of cathode materials. The primary objective of the present study was to quantitatively evaluate the resources, energy consumption and economic feasibility of large-scale production of cathode materials though FS. In the analysis process, the mass flow of reactants and resultants as well as the minimum cathode material selling price (MCSP) of ternary cathode material LiNixCoyMn(1-x-y)O2 (x + y + z = 1) produced by FS were calculated, and compared with that of the conventional hydroxide co-precipitation method. Results show that the production of ternary cathode material through FS can reduce CO2 emissions by ∼60% and water consumption by ∼30%. MCSP of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523), LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622), and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) produced by FS are 224.8 k¥/t, 235.1 k¥/t, 240.0 k¥/t, which respectively are about 2%, 10% and 14% lower than the average selling prices in Chinese market, indicating that FS is economically feasible for producing ternary cathode materials. Particularly, for the production of high-nickel cathode materials, FS has notable potential in simplifying the production process and manufacturing costs. Sensitivity analysis of NCM811 produced by FS shows that when raw material price, fuel and power costs are reduced by 25%, MCSP can be as low as 186.4 k¥/t. When the metal cation concentration of the solution increases to 3.2 mol/L, it enables FS to meet the most rigorous energy consumption limitation standards in China. When the lithium excess is reduced from 10% to 5%, MCSP of NCM811 can be further reduced by 5.6 k¥/t, indicating that lithium loss due to high temperatures in FS is a moderate factor for reducing the manufacturing cost. Finally, this work presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of NCM materials produced by FS in China. Comparison to the global warming potential (GWP) of the co-precipitation method in the literature indicated that GWP of FS is lower.

A material flow or life cycle analysis perspective for the Water-Energy-Food nexus assessment of organisations? A comparative study

Nowadays, food production systems play a relevant role as the steady increase of global population and food demand. The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a suitable approach to tackle resources management associated with these three pillars recognizing synergies and trade-offs. Different approaches have been used in the literature to measure the WEF nexus, being material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), two of the most proven methodologies. The MFA approach is based on the amount of resources consumed, while using the LCA perspective considers all flows of the system (LCA footprints approach) or considering only the flows associated with water, energy, and food pillars as the inventory data (WEF-LCA approach). This manuscript compares the three mentioned approaches to identify their strengths and weaknesses. To do this, a sample of 100 Spanish dairy farms is analysed, where a single WEF nexus index (WEFni) is obtained using Data Envelopment Analysis. Results show that only four farms achieved a WEFni equal to 100 in all approaches, while the main difference between them is the number and type of resources considered for calculating the WEF nexus, which could imply a partial identification of hotspots of food systems.

Advancing circular economy of pallets: A comprehensive evaluation framework

The pursuit of sustainable development highlights the circular economy (CE) as a viable approach. Pallets, transporting over 80% of global trade, lack CE performance (CEP) evaluation, hindering sustainability efforts in logistics. This study develops a comprehensive framework comprising 17 indices across the pallet lifecycle to evaluate CEP in China, based on literature review, field studies, and integration of material flow analysis and life cycle assessment. Results reveal significant variation in CEP across pallet types. Wooden pallets generate substantial waste, with a high waste-to-weight ratio of 58.60%, due to inefficient processing. Plastic pallets exhibit high material efficiency (99.88%), but face environmental challenges due to non-renewable resources reliance. Steel pallets demonstrate exemplary waste management but are underutilised. Paper pallets need better durability and fly ash pallets have environmental concerns due to adjuvants. The proposed framework offers an effective tool for promoting sustainability in logistic carrier industries, with applicability extending beyond pallets.

Environmental impacts of lithium supply chains from Australia to China

Abstract Lithium (Li) has been widely recognized as an essential metal for clean technologies. However, the environmental impacts and emission reduction pathways of the lithium supply chain haven’t been clearly investigated, especially between Australia and China, where most lithium ore are mined and produced. This study analyzed and compared the environmental and human health implications of six key cross-border Li supply chains from Australia to China through material flow analysis (MFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) methods. Key findings include: (1) approximately 30% of total Li extraction is lost in the beneficiation stage due to low recovery rates; (2) the Cattlin-Yaan routes exhibit superior environmental and human health performances than other routes attributed to lower diesel consumption, reduced electricity use, and a high chemical conversion rate; (3) the Wodgina production routes have a higher carbon footprint mainly due to low ore grade and significant diesel consumption; (4) the dominant environmental implications in the supply chain are associated with refining battery-grade lithium carbonate, driven by energy use (electricity, coal and natural gas), sulfuric acid, soda ash, and sodium hydroxide. In addition, lithium carbonate refining has the highest water consumption. Overall, the analysis highlights opportunities to improve environmental performance, advance data-poor environmental assessments, and provide insights into sustainable Li extraction.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) of leather-like materials from mycelium: Indonesian case study

Life cycle assessment (LCA) of leather-like materials from mycelium: Indonesian case study

Life cycle assessment of manual toothbrush materials

BackgroundA manual toothbrush is an indispensable tool for promoting and maintaining oral health worldwide but given the non-biodegradable and non-recyclable thermoplastic materials from which it is made, it cannot be considered free of threats to the environment. Therefore, also in light of the World Dental Federation's goals to implement and initiate policies for sustainable dentistry, this study evaluates the sustainability of two materials most used for manual toothbrush bristles, namely nylon, and silicone.ObjectivesThe objective is to investigate the optimal solution to reduce the environmental impact of toothbrushes, and how the environmental impact would change if only the brush head was changed instead of the entire toothbrush.MethodsLife Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint were used. Four manual toothbrushes with nylon bristles, and a handle in polypropylene with/without silicone parts (N1, N2, N3, N4) and two manual toothbrushes, with silicone bristles, but one with polypropylene handle only (Si1), the other with polypropylene handle and silicone parts (Si2) were evaluated.ResultsA toothbrush with silicone bristles is more sustainable than one with nylon bristles in all 18 impact categories, with average values of − 14%. In addition, eliminating only the brush head instead of the entire toothbrush could result in savings of 4.69 × 10‒3 kg CO2 eq per toothbrush. Therefore, based on the results of this study and to meet Dentistry's need to reduce its environmental impact, the ideal toothbrush should be lightweight, with less superfluous material, and with less impactful materials such as silicone instead of nylon.ConclusionsThe concluding indications for improving the sustainability of toothbrushes are therefore: (i) eliminate the amount of superfluous material; (ii) develop lighter models; and (iii) develop models in which only the brush head is replaced rather than the entire toothbrush.

Research on Low-Carbon Design and Energy Efficiency by Harnessing Indigenous Resources through BIM-Ecotect Analysis in Hot Climates

In the face of contemporary challenges, such as economic instability, environmental degradation, and the urgent global warming crisis, the imperative of sustainability and energy efficiency has reached unparalleled significance. Sustainability encompasses not only the natural environment, but also extends to our immediate surroundings, including the built structures and the communities they serve. Embracing this comprehensive perspective, we embarked on a mission to conceive and construct a model house that harnesses state-of-the-art energy-efficient technologies. Our goal was to seamlessly integrate these features not only to meet our sustainability objectives, but also to mitigate environmental threats.This model embodies a harmonious fusion of indigenous resources, employing locally sourced stone and employing traditional construction techniques. Through this approach, we achieved significant reductions in carbon emissions and established a framework for passive cooling and heating systems. Moreover, the design is intrinsically attuned to its contextual surroundings, preserving the diverse tapestry of regional architectural styles. This study stands as a testament to the potential of innovative design and technology in shaping a sustainable future. The research employs a multi-dimensional approach, encompassing strategies of architectural design with a traditional planning approach, sustainable material selection, energy efficiency, and life cycle assessment across a diverse set of case studies. Building energy analysis is conducted through the application of BIM (Ecotect), providing insights into how BIM can adapt and thrive in various environments. Key findings underscore that thermal performance, minimizing energy loads, and reducing carbon emissions are pivotal aspects in designating a building as both green and energy efficient.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Recycled & Secondary Materials in the Construction of Roads

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Recycled & Secondary Materials in the Construction of Roads

Life Cycle Assessment of New Energy Materials: From Production to Disposal

Life Cycle Assessment of New Energy Materials: From Production to Disposal

Gate-to-grave assessment of plastic from recycling to manufacturing of TENG: a comparison between India and Singapore

This study assesses the viability of recycled plastic-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for sustainable energy harvesting in India and Singapore, concurrently examining plastic waste management. Using material flow analysis and life cycle assessment, the findings revealed that in Singapore, waste-to-energy incineration has a lower environmental impact than landfilling and mechanical recycling, attributed to natural gas usage. In India, recycling offsets impacts from incineration and landfilling, contributing to a lower net environmental impact. Economic performance of a TENG module from PET recyclates showed a 20% carbon footprint reduction when scaling up from lab to industrial “freeze-drying” processes. Key challenges in TENG manufacturing processes are also assessed for future development. This research highlights the potential of recycled plastic-based TENGs in sustainable energy and waste management.

Phosphate Removal Efficiency and Life Cycle Assessment of Different Anode Materials in Electrocoagulation Treatment of Wastewater

The excessive discharge of phosphorus-containing wastewater contributes to eutrophication, posing a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, methods such as electrocoagulation should be utilized to remove phosphorus from wastewater prior to discharging it into a water body. In this study, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of electrocoagulation in treating simulated phosphorus-containing wastewater under different parameters, including anode material (aluminum, iron, and magnesium), electrode distance (ED) (1, 2.5, and 4.5 cm), pH (3, 6, and 9), and current density (CD) (3, 6, and 9 mA/cm2). Additionally, three models of phosphate removal, the pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), and Behnajady–Modirshahla–Ghanbery (BMG) models, were used to simulate the relationship between phosphate concentration and time in the electrocoagulation process using the three metals for phosphate removal. The experimental results showed that the aluminum system had the highest removal efficiency (90%) when energized for 20 min under a CD of 3 mA/cm2, followed by those of the iron (80%) and magnesium (35%) systems. Furthermore, a life cycle assessment (LCA) showed that the aluminum electrode system had a smaller environmental impact than the iron and magnesium electrode systems. Therefore, the aluminum electrode system is suitable for phosphorus removal from wastewater.

Modeling stock, material and environmental impacts of circular economy product policies. Trade-offs between early replacement and repair of electric motors

New modeling challenges are accompanying the shift in EU product policy toward an increased focus on circular economy aspects. Combined material flow analysis and life cycle assessment can play an important role in assessing the impact of such policies. A flexible model has been developed that is suitable for the ex-ante impact assessment of the material flows and environmental impacts of a range of circular economy product policies, extending an established approach. The model uses a layered approach, in which material and environmental impacts are derived from product flows via a product database that defines physical properties for product variants. Combined with a stock model, the impact of policy interventions on the whole market can be assessed over time and per life cycle stage. We apply this model in a theoretical case study on electric motors, which compares early replacement of inefficient motors and motor repair with a base case.

Evaluating mitigation strategies for building stocks against absolute climate targets

With the growing urgency of addressing climate change it is increasingly important that decision makers at all levels are equipped to take efficient mitigation actions. This research evaluates the potential of four mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the building stock based on a case study, and these are further evaluated in terms of alignment with the remaining global emission budget and the planetary boundary for global warming. The results cover annual emissions from 2023 to 2050 across 18 impact categories, thus highlighting possible impact burden-shifting that may occur as a result of the mitigation strategies. The results show that decarbonisation of the electricity grid delivers a substantial reduction across impact categories. However, in absolute terms, this is counteracted by the increase in building stock. The results also show that current estimates for mitigation potentials are insufficient to comply with the remaining global emission budget. Thus, mitigation strategies should be even more ambitious: constructing 80% fewer new buildings and reducing operational energy demand by 80%. These findings highlight the urgency of taking multiple actions. The increase in demand for new buildings needs to be challenged. Practice relevance Present urban mitigation strategies are inadequate for meeting the stated GHG targets. To enable informed decisions it is important to quantify the effects of different strategies. Traditional life cycle assessments have static inventories and impacts can therefore not be temporarily differentiated and transparency cannot be provided on long-term potentials. This study suggests combining material flow analysis and life cycle assessment to enable integration of dynamic parameters into the life cycle inventory. This shows how the long-term effectiveness of different mitigation strategies can be evaluated. To ensure unintended burden-shifting does not occur, results cover annual emissions from 2023 to 2050 across 18 impact categories. Furthermore, this study showcases how strategies can be designed to align with global commitments such as those set by the Paris Agreement.

Life cycle assessment of mycelium-based composite materials

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) show promising acoustic and thermal insulation, fire safety, and mechanical strength properties and are suitable for multiple applications in the construction, packing or furniture industry. A life cycle assessment confirmed climate change and fossil energy demand benefits in a laboratory scale production modelled for Germany. MBC are associated with 0.3668 kg CO2e / kg MBC (EN 15804 + A2). The electricity required to run MBC production and hemp cultivation, if used as a substrate, contribute significantly to the environmental impact categories considered. Compared to conventional insulation materials, environmental advantages of MBC can be confirmed. Particularly, MBC has a better climate change impact than extruded polystyrene, quadcore sandwich panel, foam concrete and rockwool. However, since the end-of-life is not assessed, the wood-fiber and straw panels perform better regarding climate change. Moreover, MBC has lower fossil energy demand than all conventional insulation materials. Land-use and water demand are higher than for conventional materials.

3D printing earth: Local, circular material processing, fabrication methods, and Life Cycle Assessment

Additive manufacturing with earth is an emerging, though largely uncharacterized, approach to fabricating low embodied carbon structures. It is critical to establish methods for processing 3D printed, locally sourced earthen materials in different environments to validate large-scale earthen additive manufacturing as a tool to address a growing global need for housing and climate-resilient architecture. We present a set of reproducible design guidelines for sourcing, processing, and characterizing locally sourced earthen materials. Soil type, moisture and fiber content, particle size distribution, and unconfined compressive strength are determined. Additionally, novel bridging, cantilevering, and hydrostatic pressure (formwork) testing methods are developed to link design constraints for full-scale printed structures to material characteristics. Modular and conformally printed full-scale wall prototypes are printed with a 6-axis robotic system. A Life Cycle Assessment of the prototypical earth printing system is conducted, establishing a point of comparison to the climate impact of other construction systems, including rammed earth, concrete masonry units, and 3D printed mortar. We demonstrate that printing highly functional building elements with repeatable mechanical characteristics is possible using locally sourced earth mixtures. By illustrating a range of reproducible material and geometric possibilities, we expand the design space of additive earth and its applications.

Energy, economic, and environmental (3E) assessment of the major greenhouse crops: MFCA-LCA approach.

In order to develop sustainable production of greenhouse crops, the economic, energy, and environmental aspects of production should be considered. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic, energy, and environmental (3E) sustainability of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper production in greenhouses by performing material flow cost accounting (MFCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) material and methods. Calculating the economic and energy value of losses in agricultural sustainability assessment studies is not common. Using the LCA method alone does not allow us to calculate the monetary and energy value of waste. If this method is used simultaneously with MFCA, this gap will be filled. The system boundary for LCA was from cradle to farm, and for MFCA, foreground processes were considered. The production of each crop was compared at the level of 1000 m2 during 1year. Data were collected through questionnaire-based interviews. The gross value of production for cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were 8982, 16387, and 17610 $/1000 m2, respectively. The negative production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were 702, 718, and 449 $/1000 m2, respectively. The benefit-to-cost ratio in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated as 2.8, 5.17, and 5.8, respectively. The economic productivity in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated at 10.25, 7, and 4.4kg/$. Labor cost was the main cost in the production of all three crops. The total input energy for the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was estimated to be 99.4, 123.1, and 164.6 GJ/1000 m2, respectively. Negative products in the production of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper were obtained at - 24.2, - 23.9, and - 13.5 GJ/1000 m2, respectively. The energy productivity of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper was calculated as 0.23, 0.26, and 0.08kg/MJ, respectively. The specific energy indices were 4.32, 3.79, and 12.20MJ/kg for cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper, respectively. The energy ratio in the production of tomato (0.02) was higher than bell pepper (- 0.02) and cucumber (- 0.06). From the perspective of energy, electricity was recognized as the hotspot for the production of three crops. Global warming (GWP100a), ozone layer depletion (ODP), acidification (AC), and eutrophication (EP) indices were calculated for all three crops. Tomato production was ranked first in all impact categories. On-farm emissions and electricity consumption were identified as environmental hotspots. The subsidized price of electricity, natural gas, and chemical fertilizers has led to their excessive use in the production of greenhouse plants. It can be concluded that bell pepper has the best performance from an economic point of view. However, its production is not justified in terms of energy. Tomato was ranked first in terms of energy, and cucumber was ranked first in terms of low environmental impacts. The production of these plants with energy and chemical fertilizer subsidies is currently cost-effective. If the prices are corrected, the production of these plants will face serious challenges. Producing electricity from sunlight and mechanizing production processes can be a solution to these challenges.

Life cycle assessment of thermal insulation materials produced from waste textiles

Life cycle assessment of thermal insulation materials produced from waste textiles

Life cycle assessment of low-dimensional materials for perovskite photovoltaic cells

Perovskite solar cells integrated with lower dimensional materials can outperform the environmental performance of conventional solar photovoltaic technologies such as crystalline silicon, CIGS, and CdTe with shorter lifetimes.