A-20 Construction wastes – screening and simplified LCA

Aspect

A-20 Construction wastes –  screening and simplified LCA

Description
The construction of a building generates considerable cutting waste. Should such waste be considered in the context of a screening or simplified LCA?

Related study objective

stand-alone LCA comparative assertion

Related study phase

goal and scope definition inventory analysis (LCI) impact assessment (LCIA) interpretation reporting

Relevant for

new buildings existing buildings building products screening LCA simplified LCA complete LCA
Provisions Construction waste may be included in a screening or simplified LCA if it is relevant for the goal and scope of the study (e.g. a construction company might have more interest than a building designer in this aspect).
Rules from:
EN 15978
8.5 Scenarios for the construction process stage (Modules A4-A5)

EN 15804: 
6.2.3 A4-A5, Construction process stage, information modules

Guidance
In some EPDs, waste during installation into the building may be documented. The practitioner should use default values (e.g. ratios) for screening and simplified LCA. This information might be a default loss of product on site per type of product, or else the practitioner might use a global average, e.g. 5%, to see whether this aspect is significant in the final LCA results. If a construction waste is included, the impact of production related to the loss of product should be quantified within Module A5.WRAP has consulted with UK industry and has provided baseline and good practice wastage rates for most construction material types, which could be used in the absence of other data.

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