“Life Cycle Perspective of Building Materials” Sonia Valdivia Guido Sonnemann UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative UNEP DTIE – SCP Branch

UNEP-SBCI Symposium on Sustainable Buildings Paris, France: May 19-20, 2010

Outline




Introduction to building and demolition wastes




UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative’s activities




Shaping the future

Natural resources

Extraction of raw materials

Incineration and landfilling

Recycling Disposal

Design And production

Reuse

Use and maintenance

Distribution

Life Cycle based Approaches in the Building Sector Avoiding & Minimising Environmental Risks

1. Predesign

2. Development planning

Avoiding & Minimising Construction Impacts Development life cycle

3. Building design

4. Construction

Minimising impacts over time

5. Operation

8. Transportation Re-use of existing structure/ deconstruction and re-use of components and/or materials.

4. Mining/ extraction/ harvesting

6. Re-use

7. Demolition

Landfill

9. Recycling Material salvage for re-use on other building projects or for reprocessing by other industries

Close-loop solution for CDW

Sources: GTZ (German Society for International Cooperation)

Dematerialization by concrete / gravel / sand or asphalt recycling

0-16/0-24 mm as filling materials

0-45/0-80/0150 mm as materials for road construction

0-32 mm as materials for road construction (surface)

0-16/0-22/0-32 mm as secondary asphalt for road construction

100% Recycling of roof tiles

Frost resistance of recycled concrete

N/mm2 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0

Natural sand 0/32 (Reference material) Recycled concrete 2/32 + Natural sand 0/2 Recycled concrete 0/32 ZTVT-Regulation (Germany)

2 4 6 8 Contenido de cemento en peso.-%

Sources: Wesche et al., Schulz, Iványi et al.

Minimum fee to ensure economic feasibility of recycling plants (4-5 or 6-7 USD/ton treated)

Economic benefits (USD/ USD/year)

1,000,000 500,000

Process B in Germany

4

Process A in Germany

0 Process B in a South American city

0 -500,000

2

6

8 10 Process A in a South American City

-1,000,000 Fee paid to the recycling plant (USD)

Sources: Valdivia, 2000

Recycling quota in selected countries


42% Approx in USA and Canada

The Life Cycle in Practice: Japanese Low Carbon Society in 2050

http://lcinitiative.unep.fr

In the building sector 40-50% reduction in energy demand through future replacement building to high insulated dwellings and more energy systems

National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Kyoto University, Ritsumeikan University, and Mizuho Information and Research Institute

In the building sector Combination of comfortable servicing space/working environment and energy efficiency improvement reduces 40% of energy demand

National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Kyoto University, Ritsumeikan University, and Mizuho Information and Research Institute

UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative 2002 ….. on

http://lcinitiative.unep.fr

Linking LCI results via the midpoint categories to damage

Areas where there is a need of enhanced methodologies

UNEP Resource use intensity and impact assessment indicator framework proposal UNEP Midterm Resource Strategy Prio- Efficiency rities (KPS)* Indicators

Other Environmental Other Priorities indicators (CC, HS, EM) (Partners)

Energy

Climate (CC)

Demand Energy

(IEA)

Change Carbon Footprint (WRI/ WBCSD, ISO)

Water Footprint

Water

(WWF/ WFN)

Material Intensity Materials/ (WI) Waste

*KPS – Key Performance indicator

Hazardous Substances (HS) Ecosystems Management Biodiversity

USEtox (SETAC)

Biodiversity (EM)/ Damage (IUCN)

SBCI recommended issues & linkages with the UNEP/Proposed Framework No Issue .

Linkage with UNEP Framework

the SBCI recommended indicator

1

Energy and GHG

2

Water

Climate Change/carbon footprint (CO2 equiv/unit) Resource Efficiency/water footprint (m3/functional unit)

3

Materials Resource use

of recycled and Resource Efficiency Used materials in construction /materials intensity (% by mass)

4

5 6 7

Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) Waste Air and emission Land use Ecology

Hazards substances/Toxicity

Resource Efficiency /materials intensity (kg/unit) water Hazards substances/Toxicity

and Ecosystems

Management/ Biodiversity damage

UNEP International Global Guidance for LCA Databases

LCA guidance documents from 10 Countries/Regions and 7 Organizations / Bruce Vigon

Global Guidance for LCA Databases • To provide global guidance on the establishment and maintenance of LCA databases, as the basis for future improved interlinkages of databases worldwide. • Benefits  Increase the credibility of existing LCA data,  Encourage generation and overall accessibility of more data (also for application such as carbon and water footprint)  Provides a sound scientific basis for product stewardship in business & industry and life cycle based policies in governments, and  ultimately, helps to advance the sustainability of products. • This should complement other ongoing initiatives.

Guidance documents and related ones identified Numerous guidance documents on data guidelines, data collection methodologies and user guides received. Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS) Brazil China* Environmental services sector (Veolia Environnement) # France* India* International - Ecoinvent Japan

Paper and board sector # PAS2050 Plastics Europe # UNEP Sustainable Building and Climate Initiative Switzerland (Swiss government) The International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) U.S.A. WorldSteel # Canada*

Legend: # Best practices for a sector * Recommendations towards a global guidance document

(Draft) UNEP/SETAC - Assessment Framework - Taking a life cycle approach in the Building and Construction Sector Introduction & context: the building and construction sector. - The need for a framework for sustainability in the building sector - What does this guidance provide? Part 1. Why take a life cycle approach in the building sector? - Principles of sustainability for the building sector. - What does the life cycle approach bring to this framework? Part 2. Implementing a life cycle approach. - Implementing a life cycle Approach: A coherent and comprehensive process - Priority areas and targets for the building - Managing sustainability through each life cycle phase. Part 3. Assessment. 1. Assessing the use of a life cycle approach. 2. Case study(ies).

Capability Development

Shaping a future

http://lcinitiative.unep. fr

Instruments •Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for design, planning and selection of materials and sub-contractors: - resource use, embodied energy, embodied pollution, recyclability, material efficiency, product life - Green Paper on Integrated Product Policy (IPP) Producer Responsibility - recycled products, labelling of products, no overestimation of quantities, planning - future deconstruction

• Tendering • During and after construction, renovation and deconstruction - waste minimization - organized site, supply just in time with minimum packaging, separation of materials, appropriate disposal

Life cycle based approaches can assist to produce more sustainable building sites

http://lcinitiative.unep.fr

Our Sponsors Platinum sponsors

International Plastics Associations as one platinum sponsor

13 companies and CIRAIG as one platinum sponsor

Gold sponsor

Silver sponsors

Thanks, Questions? [email protected] http://lcinitiative.unep.fr / •UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative: 2002 - on •International Life Cycle Partnership for a Sustainable World