The potential for carbon reduction in construction waste sorting: A dynamic simulation

Energy savings and emission reductions in the construction industry are an important mean of achieving China's goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. Management of debris and waste produced during construction is particularly important to achieve the construction industry's carbon emission reduction goals. This study constructs an (SD) model of the management of C&DW carbon emissions under different sorting modes to explore the relationship among factors affecting carbon emissions produced during C&DW management and to investigate the carbon emission reduction effects of different policies. The SD model simulates the effects of different carbon emission reduction policies and proposes optimization suggestions for the simulation results, which show that: (1) When the subsidy is set at 25CNY/t, there is a significant increase in the propensity of contractors to choose the resource sorting mode and a significant decrease in total carbon emissions of C&DW treatment. (2) When using a carbon tax as a policy tool to regulate the choice of C&DW sorting mode, there is a significant increase in the tendency of contractors to choose the resource-based sorting mode. The findings of the study can provide a basis for the government to introduce relevant C&DW management and emission reduction policies.

Automated summary

Energy savings and emission reductions in the construction industry are vital for China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. This study uses a system dynamics model to explore the relationship among factors affecting carbon emissions in construction and demolition waste (C&DW) management and investigates the effects of different policies. The findings suggest that subsidies and carbon taxes can significantly influence contractors' choices of sorting modes, leading to reduced carbon emissions in C&DW treatment.