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A Lean and Green approach for the eco-efficiency assessment on construction sites: description and case study

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Abstract

Lean and Green seeks to increase added value and reduce waste generation, while also improving environmental sustainability performance in production activities. However, no studies were found exploring the potential results by combining Lean and Green with eco-efficiency assessments in the construction sector. Therefore, this paper aimed at proposing and testing a Lean and Green approach in three steps. Step 1 was based on the Value Stream Mapping application to calculate the Value Added of construction activities; step 2 focused on the Life Cycle Assessment of evaluated construction activities, and step 3 performed an eco-efficiency assessment of construction sites to guide decision-makers on selecting more lean and sustainable construction materials and strategies. A case study was developed for a 300 m2-house construction considering two build options (reinforced concrete frame vs. light steel frame). The results affirm that light steel framing showed a value added 43% higher than the reinforced concrete in step 1, whilst having 8% less global warming potential impacts in step 2. Step 3 concluded that light steel framing was 1.38 times more eco-efficient than the concrete structure. The proposed approach can be suitable for any building system evaluation in terms of construction technologies, materials, and/or production strategies and investigations towards more sustainable production.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) under Grants 302722/2019-0 and 406017/2018-2.

Funding

Funding was provided by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (BR) (Grant Nos. 302722/2019-0, 406017/2018-2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group on Sustainability Engineering, Department of Production Engineering, School of Management and Technology, Federal University of São Carlos, João Leme dos Santos Road, km 110, SP 264, Bairro do Itinga, Sorocaba, São Paulo, CEP 18052-780, Brazil

    Marilia de Oliveira Rezende, Virgínia Aparecida Silva Moris & Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva

  2. Institute of Structural Design, Graz University of Technology, Waagner-Biro-Straße, 100, 8020, Graz, Austria

    Marcella Ruschi Mendes Saade

  3. Technology Center, Department of Chemistry Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, 3000, Lagoa Nova, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, CEP 59072-970, Brazil

    Andréa Oliveira Nunes

  4. Department of Architecture and Construction, State University of Campinas, Av. Albert Einstein, 951, Iniversity City Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, São Paulo, CEP 13083-970, Brazil

    Vanessa Gomes da Silva

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  1. Marilia de Oliveira Rezende
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  2. Marcella Ruschi Mendes Saade
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  3. Andréa Oliveira Nunes
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  4. Vanessa Gomes da Silva
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  5. Virgínia Aparecida Silva Moris
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  6. Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva
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Correspondence to Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva.

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de Oliveira Rezende, M., Saade, M.R.M., Nunes, A.O. et al. A Lean and Green approach for the eco-efficiency assessment on construction sites: description and case study. Clean Techn Environ Policy 24, 1535–1552 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-021-02265-y

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