A indústria do cimento como alternativa sustentável para destinação final dos resíduos recicláveis da construção civil

Abstract

The construction sector, which is continuously evolving, is responsible for generating a significant portion of waste, accounting for about 50% of all solid waste generated in Brazil today. The cement industry is one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide in the world, responsible for approximately 7% of all CO2 emitted by humans, making it one of the gases that contributes most to the increase of the greenhouse effect. This research aimed to analyze the potential application of the cement industry as a sustainable alternative for the final disposal of recyclable waste generated from construction, from the perspective of reducing CO2 emissions within cement plants. The study was classified as mixed, encompassing both exploratory and explanatory components, and involved a literature review on recyclable construction waste and the cement industry. The investigation method included market mapping and laboratory experiments for material characterization, as well as the study of potential disposal routes within the cement manufacturing process and the identification of factors that contribute to the application of this research in terms of sustainability. The results showed that it is feasible to utilize recyclable construction waste generated by Recycling Plants for Construction Waste in the cement industry as an alternative fuel, alternative raw material, clinker substitute, and/or additive in cement, with limitations identified for each application. The research revealed that incorporating recyclable waste into cement production could help reduce CO2 emissions in cement plants and support recycling plants, providing another possibility for waste disposal and decreasing the amount sent to landfills, thereby extending their lifespan. It was concluded that the use of recyclable waste generated by Recycling Plants for Construction Waste in cement production emerges as a promising and sustainable solution to the environmental challenges faced by the cement industry, also contributing to recycling plants as another sustainable alternative for waste disposal.