Evaluation of Environmental Effects by LCA Method of Recycling of Depleted Electrical Insulators by Their Reuse for Cementitious Composites

This paper is devoted to the evaluation of the environmental effects by the LCA method of recycling electrical insulators through their secondary use in the production of cementitious composites as replacements for traditional mineral aggregates. For the proposed waste recycling system, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, the environmental impact of product manufacturing was evaluated at the level of several key factors. A cubic meter of concrete composite was used as the functional unit. The environmental impact assessment was carried out for recycled and traditional composite products. The work was carried out using the openLCA computer program. The obtained results confirmed that the replacement of traditional aggregate with recycled aggregate after its prior deposition and grinding at the concrete producer brings positive effect. Compared to the production of traditional composite, the production of composites with recycled aggregate showed a favorable parameter: the amount of depletion of natural resources. Other studied parameters such as climate change, air pollution and process toxicity ware almost the same for both types of composites. Taking into account the results obtained, it was concluded that this type of waste trading system can be implemented in industrial activities with a positive effect on the environment.