Zhang, J.; Saberian, M.; Roychand, R.; Li, J.; Li, C. Q.; Zhang, G. and Robert, D. (2026) Carbon footprint reduction in concrete using spent coffee grounds biochar: A life cycle perspective. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(10), pp. 2137-2153. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The construction industry's environmental footprint, particularly from concrete production, poses a significant global challenge due to high carbon emissions and extensive resource consumption. This study presents a novel approach by integrating biochar derived from spent coffee grounds (SCG) into concrete, addressing both the environmental impact of concrete and the management of organic waste. The key novelty lies in conducting the first comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of SCG biochar in concrete, offering new insights into its potential as a sustainable construction material. In this study, the LCA was conducted using SimaPro software and the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) method, covering impact categories such as climate change, fossil depletion, human toxicity, and freshwater ecotoxicity. Results indicated that incorporating SCG biochar at replacement levels of 5–15% can substantially reduce environmental impacts, achieving up to a 23.2% reduction in CO2 emissions. However, the content above 15% yielded diminishing benefits, emphasizing the importance of optimal dosage. This study demonstrates the dual benefits of SCG biochar, offering a sustainable approach to reducing concrete's carbon footprint and enhancing waste valorization in line with circular economy goals.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | biochar; concrete; environmental impact assessment; life cycle assessment; spent coffee grounds |
| Index terms: | sustainable construction, depletion, environmental impact assessment, dosage, life cycle, resource consumption, carbon footprint, CO2 emissions, life cycle assessment, environmental impact, climate change, carbon footprint reduction, construction industry, replacement, carbon emission, circular economy |
| Subjects: | industry analysis, environmental resource management, sustainable design, sustainable construction, air quality, value management, materials science, health monitoring assessment and metrics, climate science, environmental impact |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Project Management, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here