This study examines the integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a crucial decision-making tool in by-product recovery studies within the construction sector. Unlike conventional methods that often delay LCA until after thecnical studies, our approach places LCA at the forefront of decision-making, ensuring that environmental considerations guide material design.This study investigates the valorization of concrete return fines in dry-mix mortars, starting with an initial LCA to validate environmental benefits of substituting natural sand by recycled sand before testing various formulations with different substitution rate.Our findings reveal significant reduction mainly in natural resource depletion, particularly evident at a 55% substitution rate, suggesting complete independence from natural resources. Additionally, the ecological profitability threshold is established at 200 km, indicating the radius within which the recycled sand can be used without compromising environmental gains.Economically, Life Cycle Costing (LCC) analysis demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of using recycled sand, even when its price exceeds that of natural sand. This economic resilience allows for flexibility in setting the selling price of recycled sand, thereby enhancing its valuation.In conclusion, our approach represents a paradigm shift in ecological decision-making by priotirizing LCA to emphasize the balance between environmental benefits and economic viability. This study paves the way for an eco-friendly application with significant potential for adoption within the construction industry.
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