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Understanding the total life cycle cost implications of reusing structural steel

Author

Listed:
  • Jamie Yeung

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Scott Walbridge

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Carl Haas

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Rebecca Saari

    (University of Waterloo)

Abstract

Reuse of structural steel could be an environmentally superior alternative to the current practice, which is to recycle the majority (88%) of scrap steel. In spite of the potential benefits, and in a time when “sustainability” and “climate change” are critical societal issues, the question arises: why are greater rates of structural steel reuse not being observed? One of the major factors in the rate of structural steel reuse is how decision-makers understand the life cycle implications of their choice to recycle steel rather than reuse it. This paper contributes towards our understanding of these implications, particularly the cost implications, of reuse as an alternative to recycling by presenting a streamlined life cycle analysis and identifying the major contributors to each process. The results of a case study indicate that a significant reduction in some life cycle impact metrics (greenhouse gas emissions, water use) can result from reusing structural steel rather than recycling it. The largest contributors to the life cycle impact of recycling were the shredding, melting, and forming sub-processes. The largest contributor to reuse was the deconstruction sub-process. A total life cycle cost analysis is performed to understand the cost of damages to the environment and human health in combination with the cost of construction activities. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses are also conducted to quantify variability in the results and determine economic conditions where the two processes have an equal cost.

Suggested Citation

  • Jamie Yeung & Scott Walbridge & Carl Haas & Rebecca Saari, 2017. "Understanding the total life cycle cost implications of reusing structural steel," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 37(1), pages 101-120, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:37:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s10669-016-9621-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10669-016-9621-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Drew T. Shindell & Yunha Lee & Greg Faluvegi, 2016. "Climate and health impacts of US emissions reductions consistent with 2 °C," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(5), pages 503-507, May.
    2. Michael Greenstone & Elizabeth Kopits & Ann Wolverton, 2013. "Developing a Social Cost of Carbon for US Regulatory Analysis: A Methodology and Interpretation," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 7(1), pages 23-46, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin Sanchez & Mansour Esnaashary Esfahani & Carl Haas, 2019. "A methodology to analyze the net environmental impacts and building’s cost performance of an adaptive reuse project: a case study of the Waterloo County Courthouse renovations," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 419-438, December.

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