How modelling decisions shape conclusions in life cycle assessment: insights from a circular product system

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Poster Number:  27 

Main Presenter:    Donald Nwonu 

Co-Authors:   Daniel Maskell     Valeria Cascione      Stephen Allen                                    

The transition toward sustainable and circular construction solutions fosters the development and adoption of innovative products made from recycled and bio-based sources. As these products scale-up commercially, the role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) becomes critical to evaluate not only their upstream environmental impacts, but also the downstream burdens. This study presents a comparative LCA of a novel insulation product derived from recycled waste fibres, focusing on how considerations beyond the “end-of-waste state” (EoW) for the recycled raw materials shape the outcomes. Specifically, three scenarios were evaluated including: complete cutoff, cutoff with biogenic carbon and avoided burdens approach. The results show that the environmental impacts, especially the total GWP that varies by 2.5 times are highly sensitive to these assumptions. The findings indicate that the perception of the product’s sustainability profile depends on post-EoW modelling decisions in circular product
systems and calls for clearer guidance in product category rules.

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