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The importance of recycling in life cycle assessment of roof systems

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Abstract
Recycling plays a major role in the total life cycle cost of roof systems. Calcuations show that roof sytsems that are recyclable to a high extent score very positive compared to roof systems that are not suitable for recycling. In this paper different types of waste treatment are distinguished, because of the great differences that exist. For the simulations a computer model named SimaPro was used, using the world wide accepted method devleoped by CML (Centre for the Environment, Leiden, the Netherlands). With this model different life-cycle scenarios were studied and evaluted. From the undertaken studies it beocmes clear that PVC and APP roof coverings do not differ largeley in environmental impact, also due to the fact that relatively heavy steel substructure is of more importance. The differences between APP and PVC are negligible. However, the difrferences between high and low recycling ratio scenarios are substantial. Bottle neck in this field of study is estimating avarage recycling and re-use percentages of the total flow of material waste in the building sector and collecting reliable process data. Another problem within LCA studies is estimating the reliability of the input data and modelling uncertainties.
Date
6/1998
Author(s)
Nico Hendriks; Jereon Dehook
Page(s)
93-111
Keyword(s)
life cycle assessment; recycling; environment; roof system


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