Life Cycle Assessment of Waste Products of a Green-Neighbourhood

Abstract

This research aims to quantify and to compare the effect of the energy mix of 150 countries on the waste products generated by an eco-neighbourhood. To perform this comparison, the same neighbourhood design is applied to in 150 countries, but four parameters are adapted to each country: energy mix, local climate, building materials and occupants' mobility. The life cycle of the neighbourhood was assessed over 100 years. This environmental impact was evaluated by the Pleiades simulation software under four phases (construction, use, renovation, and demolition). Among the four local parameters (energy mix, local materials, climate, and transport), the energy mix has the most significant effect on the waste product emission. In this sense, the results showed that the most important quantity of waste products (35.3% of the total) is generated during the demolition phase. What is more, the application of photovoltaic panels in eco-neighbourhood increases up to 12% of the total waste product emission over 100 years. Globally, in the 150 Countries, 80% of waste products come mainly from building materials and domestics and the waste product emission per occupant was between 10 and 20% higher in developed countries (USA,

Low Carbon Emissions and Energy Consumption: A Targeted Approach Based on the Life Cycle Assessment of a District

“…Thus, this proportion of waste was considered recycled and not landfill. According to Belgian statistics, 40% of the 1500 g of daily household waste per person is sent for incineration with a yield of 85% [49]. The distances from the site to the landfill for household waste are 10 km, 100 km to the incinerator and 50 km to the recycling site [47].…”

“…Transport: The mobility component was also taken into account in our study [49]. Thus, the environmental impact of the occupants' daily journeys was calculated.…”

“…The drinking water pipes were made of 50% polyethene and 50% ductile iron and losses from these were estimated to be 15%. For polyethylene, the service life is 75 years and maintenance required every 40 years [49]. For cast iron, the service life is 100 years and maintenance required every 50 years.…”