Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis of Resource Recovery from Waste Management Systems in a Circular Economy Perspective Key Findings from This Special Issue

Abstract

The generation and management of waste are gaining increasing attention worldwide as two main focuses of the environmental strategies and policies developed to date at the European level [...]

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of a Novel Bio-Based Multilayer Panel for Construction Applications

“…Even with more recognised and standardised S-LCA models, the accessibility of sensitive social data will be a limiting factor. Ingrao et al (2021) drew the same conclusion from the results of a recent Special Issue [25]. In order to make small steps towards more transparency, the S-LCA results are presented qualitatively.…”

“…Sinka et al [23] presented different magnesium-hemp multi-layer construction panel types and compared their GHG emissions to conventional references. While many approaches in the field of bio-based construction materials adequately address the environmental and economic dimension [11,14,24], Ingrao and colleagues [25] observed a shortcoming in the assessment of the social dimension, mainly due to a lack of data for modelling the social dimension. To avoid a shift of burden, the transition to a post-fossil society, which uses bio-based residues to substitute conventional materials, must be evaluated from the perspective of the three dimensions of sustainability [26].…”

Durum-Wheat Straw Bales for Thermal Insulation of Buildings: Findings from a Comparative Energy Analysis of a Set of Wall-Composition Samples on the Building Scale

“…In this study, such a panel can be seen as an unconventional material commodity, whose manufacturing chain, moreover, is well in line with the principles of a circular economy (Ingrao et al [39]; Ingrao et al [11]). It is a key element of the stratigraphy, and its main features are shown in Table 3.…”

“…Based upon literature studies, such as La Rosa et al [9], Ingrao et al [10], and Ingrao et al [2], the choice of proper building materials and construction technologies can, in fact, significantly reduce: − the environmental impacts that are, overall, embodied in the construction of a building − the consumption of energy, and related impacts, in terms of fossil-resource exploitation and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) during a building's use phase; − the impact associated with the end-of-life phase, especially when oriented to wastematerial-recycling maximization from a circular-economy perspective. In this case, an avoided impact would partially compensate for the environment impacts deriving from building construction and use (Ingrao et al [11]).…”

Spent coffee waste as a renewable source for the production of sustainable poly(butylene succinate) biocomposites from a circular economy perspective

“…The shift from a linear to a circular model of the economy is increasingly based on achieving and furthering key resource loops such as reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycling. 2 Furthermore, the efficient collection of waste to be recycled into value-added materials and articles benefiting the national economy, prosperity and environment. 6 Many sustainable technologies, clean fabrication solutions, and circular products are still to be researched and developed.…”