Environmental evaluation of papercrete based on life cycle assessment

Papercrete, which uses waste paper as an alternative ingredient in concrete, is regarded as one type of mix design for green concrete that provide a new opportunity for waste paper disposal. However, the specific environmental influence of introducing waste paper has not been not clarified. Therefore, to evaluate the environmental contribution and feasibility of papercrete, based on the papercrete unit, the comparison of concrete production coupled with waste paper disposal is conducted according to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis. The system of papercrete production discussed here covers raw material extraction to finished product. Three different treatments for waste paper combined with concrete production are considered in this study. With respect to most environmental indicators, the results indicate that papercrete by introducing waste paper achieves some environmental benefits. The major reasons that environmental indicators of papercrete improve are due to the reduction of natural resource utilization and emissions to air. In detail the environmental impacts of papercrete production acquire a remarkable improvement compared with impact of normal concrete production and the adoption of incineration disposal of waste paper. Nevertheless, the environmental benefits of papercrete production are not significant increased compared with the associated system when waste paper is collected for the manufacture of recycled paper, where most environmental indicators of papercrete production are only slightly increased.