ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH OF THE END-OF-LIFE OF BUILDINGS

International audienceDue to a worldwide increasing population, the construction sector is key in the international economy. This activeness implies consequences from an environmental point of view. Numerous life cycle assessments (LCA) studies have been made on buildings and pointed out the importance of the impacts caused by the use phase. The development of low energy buildings has been a step forward to decrease these impacts. The environmental burdens associated with the end of life of buildings are low so the interest showed to this particular phase is because it allows closing the loop in the material and good life cycles. Indeed, reclaimed and reused components and recycled materials can bring environmental benefits. To assess these potential benefits, it is essential to know the current practices in terms of demolition and the parameters which have an influence on the final LCA result. Based on data of a recent demolition site, a partial LCA has been realised that underlines two points. Nowadays, mechanical demolition is commonly used implying fuel consumption then waste management induces waste to be transported to recycling facilities, waste-transfer stations or landfills. The remaining shadow stays on the future of the different materials sorted once they left the station. On this case study chosen, fuel burnt in the machines has the highest contribution to the final impacts. However, this result is not taken as a conclusion but as step to a more complete LCA. The final objective is to assess the consequences in terms of environmental impacts of a change of practices in the demolition process