Environmental impact and life cycle evaluation of materials

Abstract

This chapter begins with the presentation of the factors responsible for the sustainability of the construction industry, as it should try optimising its production cycle whilst taking into account materials such as energy and keeping them within thermodynamic limits. Furthermore, the treatment of C&DW is discussed, considering that waste produced should always be reused and/or recycled whenever possible and that which cannot be reused should be sent to landfill, without posing threat to the environment. Another important aspect herein considered is that the construction industry has a positive impact as a large recycling industry of waste and by-products produced in other areas of industry, transforming them and using them in the production of alternative construction materials. Subsequently, detailed information is afforded concerning the interest in the life cycle analysis of this sector increased with the publication of legislation on environmental control, including integrated pollution control and better production techniques.