Quantification of Carbon Potential of Construction Waste Treatment: a Case Study of Guangzhou, China

Emission reduction in the construction sector is essential for China to achieve its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Construction waste recycling represents an important step in reducing the construction industry’s carbon emissions; however, construction waste recycling potential has received little attention from the industry to date. This paper adopts the Life Cycle Assessment method, constructs a carbon potential quantification formula for different construction waste treatment modes, and evaluates the economic benefit of these methods. The study’s main results are as follows. (1) For each unit (t) of construction waste disposal, the carbon potential of close-range off-site recycling is the lowest, that of public landfill is the highest, and that of recycling is intermediate. (2) The economic benefit evaluation shows that under the same conditions, the lowest total disposal cost for construction waste per unit (t) is via recycling and resourcing, indicating that this approach combines economic benefits, environmental friendliness, and sustainability. (3) Eco-friendly bricks produced by construction waste recycling have reduced carbon potential requirements compared to traditional bricks; thus, the construction waste treatment process plays a successful role in reducing carbon potential. This study’s conclusions enrich and improve the theory of construction waste resource management and can be used as a reference basis for the government to formulate emission reduction strategies for the construction industry and provide guidance for enterprises related to construction waste recycling.