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1 – 5 of 5Kailash Choudhary, Narpat Ram Sangwa and Kuldip Singh Sangwan
This study aims to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of Marble-stone and Kota-stone flooring options widely used for buildings in India. The study discusses the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of Marble-stone and Kota-stone flooring options widely used for buildings in India. The study discusses the possibility of carbon sequestration through Bamboo cultivation in India.
Design/methodology/approach
The study has followed a standard life cycle assessment (LCA) framework based on ISO 14040 guidelines. Three distinct phases have been compared on midpoint and endpoint assessment categories – raw material, polishing and disposal. Primary data has been collected from the construction site in India, and secondary data has been collected from the Ecoinvent 3.0 database. Previous studies have been referred to discuss and calculate the area of bamboo cultivation required to sequestrate the generated carbon from the flooring.
Findings
The study has found that endpoint category damage to resources, and midpoint categories of climate change, metal depletion and agricultural land use are highly impacted in building floorings. The study has also found that the Marble-stone floor generates higher environmental impacts than the Kota-stone floor in most of the midpoint and endpoint impact categories. This difference is significant in the raw material phase due to the different compositions of stones. The study also found that Bamboo has excellent potential to act as a carbon sink and mitigate the generated carbon.
Research limitations/implications
This study excludes human labour, cutting and distribution of floor tiles made of Marble-stone and Kota-stone. The researcher can use the study to evaluate, compare and benchmark the various building flooring options from the environmental perspective. The study aids to the body of knowledge available on the various building flooring options by presenting the LCA or the environmental impacts generated by two flooring options. It is expected that the architects and builders can use these results to develop carbon-neutral buildings. This study provides a methodology for governments, constructors, builders and individuals to evaluate, compare and benchmark the various construction materials from the environmental perspective by computing the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of the materials.
Originality/value
This study compares two widely used building flooring options using the LCA methodology and evaluates the potential of bamboo cultivation near the buildings for carbon sinks. The study is unique because it shows the environmental impacts of two flooring options and the carbon sequestration method to mitigate/absorb the generated environmental impacts in or around the building itself through bamboo cultivation. This study may set the foundation for carbon-neutral buildings.
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The study aims to compare and analyze the impact of the commonly used pallets (wooden pallet and plastic pallets), using life cycle assessment (LCA), then provide certain…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to compare and analyze the impact of the commonly used pallets (wooden pallet and plastic pallets), using life cycle assessment (LCA), then provide certain suggestions for the development of green packaging.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, software Simapro was used to calculate and analyze the whole life cycle of pallets from the stage of raw materials and production to processing and waste disposal.
Findings
A total of 12 environmental categories were used to quantitatively analyze the environmental impact of the four different pallets. The results showed that, regardless of raw material, processing, or waste stage, the environmental impact of wooden pallet was lower than that of plastic pallet. Wooden pallet was better than plastic pallets.
Research limitations/implications
This study compared and analyzed the pallet of 1 × 1.2m with different materials.
Practical implications
Green packaging is the development trend of the future packaging, which follows the principle of 3R1D. According to the calculation results, corresponding suggestions can be put forward from production, processing, using, wasting and other aspects, and make corresponding contributions to the development of green packaging.
Originality/value
The contribution and impact of each stage of the product on the environment can be studied. The environmental impact, such as global warming potential, water scarcity, can be reduced through different solutions such as the use of green materials, good processing techniques and higher recycling rates.
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This study aims to compare and analyze the impact of the commonly used takeout packing (Kraft paper bowl and plastic bowl) through life cycle assessment, then certain suggestions…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to compare and analyze the impact of the commonly used takeout packing (Kraft paper bowl and plastic bowl) through life cycle assessment, then certain suggestions for the development of green packaging could be provided.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, Simapro software was used to calculate and analyze the whole life cycle of takeout packaging from the stage of raw materials, production and processing and waste disposal.
Findings
Twelve environmental categories were used to quantitatively analyze the environmental impact of the two different bowls. The results showed that the impact of Kraft paper bowl on the environment was less than that of plastic bowl, regardless of raw material, processing or waste stage. Kraft paper bowl was better than plastic bowl.
Research limitations/implications
This study compared and analyzed the progress of 750-mL bowls made with different materials and specific specifications.
Practical implications
Green packaging is the development trend of the future packaging and follows the principle of reduce, resue, recycle, degradable. According to the calculation results, corresponding suggestions can be put forward from production, processing, use, waste and other aspects, and make corresponding contributions to the development of green packaging.
Originality/value
The contribution and impact of each stage of the product on the environment can be studied. The environmental impacts, such as global warming potential and water scarcity, can be reduced through different solutions, such as the use of green materials, good processing techniques and higher recycling rates.
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Nazanin Eisazadeh, Frank De Troyer and Karen Allacker
The aim is to holistically assess the environmental performance of windows and analyse how their design and characteristics contribute to the overall performance of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim is to holistically assess the environmental performance of windows and analyse how their design and characteristics contribute to the overall performance of the building/space. This study focuses on the performance of windows in patient rooms hosting less mobile people.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the life cycle environmental impacts of different glazing types, window frames and fire safety doors at the product level. This article also presents a building-integrated environmental analysis of patient rooms that considers the multiple functionalities of windows by incorporating dynamic energy analysis, comfort and daylighting performance with a life cycle assessment (LCA) study.
Findings
The results indicate that the amount of flat glass is the main contributor to the environmental impacts of the glazing units. As for the patient rooms, global warming shows the most significant contribution to the environmental costs, followed by human toxicity, particulate matter formation and eutrophication. The key drivers for these impacts are production processes and operational energy use. This study highlights the significance of evaluating a wide range of criteria for assessing the performance of windows.
Originality/value
An integrated assessment approach is used to investigate the influence of windows on environmental performance by considering the link between window/design parameters and their effects on energy use/costs, daylighting, comfort and environmental impacts. The embodied impacts of different building elements and the influence of various design parameters on environmental performance are assessed and compared. The environmental costs are expressed as an external environmental cost (euro).
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Bekinew Kitaw Dejene and Tsige Mamo Geletaw
The textile industry is evolving toward nanotechnology, which provides materials with self-cleaning properties. This paper aims to provide a thorough explanation of the green…
Abstract
Purpose
The textile industry is evolving toward nanotechnology, which provides materials with self-cleaning properties. This paper aims to provide a thorough explanation of the green synthesis and mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles, with prospective applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in self-cleaning textiles.
Design/methodology/approach
This review introduces a green mechanism for the synthesis of ZnO NPs using plant extracts, their self-cleaning properties and the mechanisms of physical, chemical and biological self-cleaning actions for textile applications.
Findings
ZnO NPs are among the several nanoparticles that are beneficial for self-cleaning textiles because of their exceptional physical and chemical properties, although review publications addressing the use of ZnO NPs in textiles for self-cleaning are uncommon. These results indicate that the plant-synthesized ZnO NPs display excellent biological, physical and chemical self-cleaning properties, the mechanism of which involves photocatalysis, surface roughness and interactions between ZnO NPs and bacterial surfaces.
Originality/value
Nanoformulations of plant-synthesized ZnO have been reviewed to achieve promising self-cleaning textile properties and have not been reviewed earlier.
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