1. Environmental evaluation of residential heating : comparative life cycle assessment of two heating systemsJanez Turk, Andreea Oarga-Mulec, Patricija Ostruh, Andraž Ceket, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the environmental performance of two systems for space heating and hot water provision in a residential building. In both cases, a ground-source heat pump is used. In the baseline system, the heat pump is driven by electrical power from the grid. In the alternative system, photovoltaic thermal collectors are integrated into the building for domestic hot water preparation and the production of electricity. Excess heat produced in the summer is introduced to the borehole and extracted later, in the cooler part of the year. Environmental benchmarking of the two systems was conducted using the Life Cycle Assessment method. A cradle-to-grave approach was applied, taking into account all life cycle stages of the system and its operation over 20 years. Results show that the alternative system yields significantly lower impacts in terms of Global Warming Potential (36% decrease) and Resources (36% decrease). In terms of Human Health, the decrease is minor (6%). However, in terms of Ecosystem, the alternative system shows a 47% higher impact than the baseline system. This increase is primarily attributed to the additional components required in the alternative configuration.
Ključne besede: LCA, GWP, heat pump, thermal energy storage, photovoltaic thermal collectors, heating, domestic hot water
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Ogledov: 168; Prenosov: 82
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2. Potential for improving the environmental sustainability of natural aggregates production (Slovenian case study)Janez Turk, Anja Kodrič, Rok Cajzek, Tjaša Zupančič Hartner, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The environmental performance of natural aggregates for concrete and road construction, extracted from a dolomite quarry, was investigated. Environmental hotspots were identified, and potential optimization measures to further reduce the environmental footprint were proposed. The natural aggregates extracted from the dolomite quarry have relatively low GWP and a low environmental footprint in general. The GWP of 1 tonne of natural aggregates used in concrete production is 1.13 kg CO2 equiv., while for 1 tonne of aggregates used in road construction, it is 0.97 kg CO2 equiv. The dolomite rock in the quarry in question is tectonically fractured, such that very intensive extraction is not required, taking into account the blasting of the rock and further processing. The use of non-road mobile machinery is already optimized. Additional reductions in environmental impact could be achieved by powering the screening process exclusively with electricity from renewable sources, such as a photovoltaic system. In this context, integrating on-site battery storage systems might present a promising solution for addressing the seasonal mismatch between solar energy generation and processing demands.
Ključne besede: rock extraction, global warming potential, environmental impact, optimization, sensitivity
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 15.10.2025; Ogledov: 239; Prenosov: 114
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3. End-of-life of renewable energy technologies in urban environments. A state-of-the-art on installation trends, materials, and best practices in the EUMarilena De Simone, Daniele Campagna, Luisa F. Cabeza, Rocío Pineda-Martos, Paulo Santos, Janez Turk, Viorel Ungureanu, Gabriel Zsembinszki, 2025, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The European Commission is promoting the production of thermal energy and electricity from renewable sources, coupled with storage systems, to decarbonize the built environment. However, these technologies use prevalently virgin raw materials, and end-of-life (EoL) circular frameworks are still difficult to be implemented due to technical, regulatory, and market barriers. This paper aims to present a state-of-the-art on the trends in installation, materials, EoL strategies, and companies active in renewable energy systems recycling. Solar, wind, and geothermal sources are examples of technologies easily incorporated into cities. The purpose is to provide information to stakeholders that should design technical solutions according to circularity criteria. The information, from both scientific and grey literature, showed that solar technologies represent the most widespread type of systems, with a considerable number of best practices and companies specialized in recycling. Wind technology follows in installation trends and activity of reuse-oriented companies. Geothermal, on the other hand, offers a reduced number of reference examples. Furthermore, this review provides an overview of the installation and potential EoL scenarios of electrical and thermal energy storage systems, highlighting significant differences in the implementation of circularity strategies. The study closes with considerations and suggestions for practical applications.
Ključne besede: circular economy, end-of-life, solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, built environment
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 18.09.2025; Ogledov: 270; Prenosov: 152
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4. The carbon footprint of different construction and demolition waste management methodsJanez Turk, Patricija Ostruh, Anja Kodrič, Tajda Potrč Obrecht, 2025, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: End-of-life management with three CDW fractions are considered in this study: wood, steel, and broken concrete. The goal of the study is to evaluate the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of different end-of-life management approaches and to benchmark the circular approaches versus the linear approaches. In the case of waste wood, the circular scenario refers to wood recycling and the production of recycled particle board or glue-laminated timber. Waste wood landfilling and the production of particle board/glue-laminated timber from primary wood are considered in the linear scenario. Considering the production of particle board, the circular scenario shows 4 times lower GWP than the linear scenario. Considering the production of glue-laminated timber, the circular scenario shows comparable GWP as the linear scenario. In the case of waste steel, the GWP of two circular scenarios were compared; recycling versus reuse. The reuse scenario shows around 8 times lower GWP than the recycling. In the case of waste concrete, the circular scenario refers to the recycling of broken concrete into recycled aggregate. The linear scenario includes the landfilling of waste concrete and the production of natural aggregate. LCA results show around 2 times lower impact on GWP in the case of the circular scenario.
Ključne besede: construction
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 09.05.2025; Ogledov: 694; Prenosov: 331
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5. Implementation and consideration of circularity within international sustainability assessment methodsChristina Giarma, Patrizia Lombardi, Rand Askar, Nika Trubina, Daniela Santana Tovar, Adriana Salles, Hasan Volkan Oral, Rocío Pineda-Martos, Aikaterina Karanafti, Bahar Feizollahbeig, Ricardo Mateus, Sara Torabi Moghadam, Janez Turk, Ruben Paul Borg, Luís Bragança, 2025, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: The construction sector is a major contributor to environmental degradation, prompting the need for integrating sustainability into its practices. This need has driven the development of sustainability assessment methods across various scales of the built environment. Simultaneously, the recent emphasis on Circular Economy (CE) principles has introduced challenges in translating these principles into measurable outcomes within the construction sector. This study aims to investigate the extent to which circularity principles are embedded within existing sustain- ability assessment methods for new buildings. The study begins by addressing the interrelationships and distinctions between circularity and sustainability concepts, establishing a foundation for the subsequent analysis. Five internationally recognised sustainability assessment methods for new buildings—BREEAM, DGNB, LEED, Level(s), SBTool—were examined to assess their incorporation of circularity aspects. Each component of these methods was scrutinised for alignment with the 10 circularity strategies outlined in the well-established 10-R framework of waste hierarchy. Expert groups, consisting of CircularB COST Action members, independently evaluated the methods and provided opinions on the direct and indirect associations between the assessed components and the 10-R principles. Disagreements were resolved through group discussions. The analysis revealed varying degrees of integration and explicit reference to circularity principles across the assessed methods. The study also highlighted the subjectivity inherent in identifying correlations and the challenges connected to linking certain circularity-related concepts in the built environment—such as resilience and adaptability—with the 10-R strategies. The findings underscore the need for a more in-depth analysis before making direct comparisons of the integration of circularity principles among different sustainability assessment methods, given their methodological differences. The study also identifies directions for future research.
Ključne besede: circular economy, sustainability, buildings’ Sustainability assessment, 10-R Framework
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 18.12.2024; Ogledov: 760; Prenosov: 562
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6. Circular economy best practices in the built environmentGenesis Camila Cervantes Puma, Adriana Salles, Janez Turk, Vlatka Rajčić, Magdalena Gómez Puche, Kinga Korniejenko, Themistoklis Tsalkatidis, Vanessa Tavares, Rocío Pineda-Martos, Tatiana Ruchinskaya, Luís Bragança, 2025, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: This document serves as the opening chapter of a book that addresses the critical issue of resource depletion in the built environment, illustrating the unsustainable trends in current construction and demolition practices that extensively rely on new raw materials. It highlights the significant impact of the building sector on global resource consumption, energy utilization, and waste generation, with alarming statistics such as buildings accounting for 40% of the world’s extracted materials and a significant source of waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Advocating for a transformative shift towards a circular economy in the built environment, the text emphasizes sustainable and regenerative economic practices that minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. This approach necessitates the redesign of systems to ensure the durability, reparability, and recyclability of construction materials, thereby promoting a model where waste is systematically eliminated and materials are continually repurposed. The document also discusses the 10R strategy, which centres on minimizing waste and enhancing resource efficiency, and explores various circular practices within the construction sector. It includes examples from case studies and best practices to demonstrate the viability and advantages of adopting circular economy principles. The challenges and success factors in implementing such practices are thoroughly examined, emphasizing the urgent need for increased awareness, supportive policies, and robust stakeholder collaboration to foster a more sustainable and resource-efficient built environment. The first chapter sets the stage for a detailed exploration of these themes throughout the book’s subsequent sections.
Ključne besede: circular economy, built environment, sustainable construction, resource efficiency
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 18.12.2024; Ogledov: 766; Prenosov: 483
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7. Krožni in nizko-ogljični gradbeni proizvodiJanez Turk, Tajda Potrč Obrecht, Katja Malovrh Rebec, Patricija Ostruh, 2023, elaborat, predštudija, študija Ključne besede: smernica, sekundarni proizvodi, ponovna uporaba, reciklaža, LCA
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.08.2024; Ogledov: 1134; Prenosov: 1029
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8. Utilisation of reused steel and slag : analysing the circular economy benefits through three case studiesGenesis Camila Cervantes Puma, Adriana Salles, Janez Turk, Viorel Ungureanu, Luís Bragança, 2024, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: This research explores sustainable construction practices focusing on material reuse, specifically reclaimed structural steel and slag. In general, the building stock is not designed for deconstruction, and material recovery for reuse at the end of life of buildings is complex and challenging. The study evaluates the benefits of content reuse through a thorough analysis of three case studies— BedZED eco-friendly housing, Angus Technopôle building, and the use of steel slag aggregate in road construction. It highlights the value of reclaimed structural steel and by-products like steel slag in waste reduction, energy conservation, and resource preservation. The BedZED case study showcases recycled steel’s cost-effectiveness and economic viability in construction, while the Angus Technopôle building exemplifies the adaptive reuse of an old steel frame building. Additionally, the third case study showcases the benefits of using Electric Arc Furnace C slag in asphalt-wearing courses, highlighting the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. The versatility of reclaimed structural steel and slag is evident in integrating material reuse in building construction and road infrastructure. These case studies illustrate the potential for reusing steel and its by-products in various construction contexts, from eco-friendly housing to road development. Therefore, the study aims to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of sustainable practices within the construction industry by showcasing the successful incorporation of reclaimed steel and slag in these projects. Considering the significant contributions of building construction to global greenhouse gas emissions, raw material extraction, and waste production, the study advocates for adopting circular economy (CE) principles within the construction industry. Finally, the analysis of case studies underscores the advantages of reclaimed structural steel and the valorisation of steel slag through the lens of CE and their contribution to sustainable development.
Ključne besede: circular economy, reused steel, steel slag aggregate, reclaimed steel, steel members
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 12.04.2024; Ogledov: 1386; Prenosov: 660
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9. Quantifying the environmental implication of cotton-fiber-based nanocrystalline cellulose : a life-cycle assessmentKatja Malovrh Rebec, Janez Turk, Matjaž Kunaver, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Considering the increasing demand for nanocrystalline-cellulose in the industry, due to its exceptional physical and biological properties, cheaper and more efficient production processes are sought. Addressing environmental concerns, especially within the framework of EU policies, this study employs Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of a novel nanocrystalline-cellulose production procedure, encompassing biomass depolymerization, rinsing, and bleaching. The LCA aims to identify environmental hotspots, explore mitigation measures, and enables comparisons with other LCA studies on nanocrystalline-cellulose. The results are calculated and reported for 19 environmental impact categories, using the ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment method. The production of 1 kg of dry nanocrystalline-cellulose using the novel process emits 63.7 kg CO2 equivalent, which is lower than the literature average (68 kg CO2 equivalent). The solvent (e.g. diethylene glycol) is the major contributor to the global warming potential and fossil-fuel depletion potential in the product stage of the nanocellulose, while the electricity requirements and glycerin represent environmental hotspots regarding 15 of the 19 impact categories assessed. In terms of the water-consumption potential, the environmental hotspot is production of raw materials (e.g. cotton fibers). Electricity contributes more than 50 % of the burden to the impact categories associated with ionizing radiation, the pollution of aquatic ecosystems and human toxicity related to cancer. It also holds a significant share of the burdens for terrestrial acidification (48 % of the impact), the formation of fine particulate matter (46 % of the impact), and human toxicity related to non-cancer diseases (37 % of the impact). This underscores the importance of optimizing the production process, possibly through upscaling. Additionally, incorporating on-site renewable energy sources and utilizing biomass-derived diethylene glycol can enhance the environmental performance of nanocrystalline-cellulose.
Ključne besede: LCA, cascade use, cellulose nanocrystals, pilot production, environmental performance
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.02.2024; Ogledov: 1568; Prenosov: 857
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10. Pathway toward sustainable winter road maintenance (case study)Katja Malovrh Rebec, Janez Turk, 2023, samostojni znanstveni sestavek ali poglavje v monografski publikaciji Povzetek: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was applied to evaluate the environmental impacts of winter road maintenance managed by an innovative road-weather information system and the impacts of vehicles passing the road during the snowstorm event. A case study refers to 10-hour lasting snowstorm event, considering a specific road section and application of a road-weather information management system to help winter road maintenance agency optimizing activities (salt gritting and/or plowing). Reliable information on the timing of the beginning of the snowstorm event affects (1) the activities of winter road maintenance, (2) the mobility of all vehicles passing the road, and (3) the fuel consumption of the vehicles. Since activities are optimized in case of preventive operation of winter road maintenance, less salt is needed overall. The road remains free of snow cover in case of preventive winter road maintenance operation, meaning that passenger cars and trucks pass the road at normal speed, without undesirable acceleration and braking caused by wheels slipping if snow accumulates on the road. Fuel consumption of vehicles passing salted and snow-free road remains unchanged, while fuel consumption increases in case of snow cover. Reduction of environmental burdens in case of such optimized winter road maintenance operation, is shown in this case study. The overall results of the comparative LCA analysis showed that the use of the road-weather information system in road traffic allows for as much as 25% reduction of environmental footprints. In the scenario where the winter service does not use information system the winter service also uses 40% more salt, which is also related with additional environmental impacts.
Ključne besede: LCA, okoljski odtisi, cesta, snežne razmere, preventivno delovanje, promet, poraba goriva, varnost, LCA, environmental impacts, road, snow cover, preventive operation, traffic, fuel consumption, safety
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 11.12.2023; Ogledov: 1148; Prenosov: 774
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