Blockchain For A Circular Economy An Explorative Research Towards The Feasibility Of Blockchain In Enhancing The Implemented Material Passport And Life Cycle Assessment Methodology Within Construction Sector In The Netherlands

Abstract

SUMMARY Stimulating economic growth and material resources, as well as preserving the world's population's livelihood are culminating the implementation of linear economy in the construction industry that refuses to appreciate the importance of recycling, reusing, and efficient waste management, contributing to material waste, and greenhouse gas emissions, consequently damaging the environment. A lack of information is often cited as main problems that lead to waste and greenhouse gas emission release. Therefore, material passport and life cycle assessment methodology (LCA) are implemented to fill this information gap; nevertheless, material passport and LCA methodology face barriers that could prevent the optimization their use. Using semistructured interview, there is analyzed which opportunities, barriers of material passport and LCA

methodology which aspects can be addressed through salient features of blockchain technology.

Concluding

that disintermediation, transparency, as well as immutability being the prominent features offered by blockchain can add value to the applied material passport and LCA methodology, through the identification of material ownership as well as assessment the validity and reliability of information source, and the calculation of energy usage, both material and built environment carbon footprint. This research contributes to the realization of sustainable construction industry in the Netherlands through carbon footprint monitoring as well as waste reduction by highlighting important aspects of material passport and LCA methodology and which features of blockchain technology may add value to the implemented tools.