Proper management of wood waste (WW) from the furniture industry has become an important issue. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool that is widely used for identifying environmental gains in WW management strategies. Thus, the aim of this research was to perform a comparative LCA, analyzing the environmental aspects and impacts of different WW management scenarios generated in the furniture industry in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. To conduct the study, five scenarios were designed: medium-density fiberboard (MDF) production (Scenario 1), medium-density particleboard (MDP) production (Scenario 2), solid ceramic brick production (Scenario 3), heat production in the ceramics industry (Scenario 4), and landfill disposal (Scenario 5). The results showed that compared to Scenarios 3 and 4, Scenarios 1 and 2 are potentially more favorable for disposing of WW. Scenario 1 achieved more environmental benefits in all of the impact categories evaluated. Notably, 1 m³ of MDF stores 1080 kg CO₂ eq/m³, which results in a net impact of −849 kg CO₂ eq/m³ of MDF. Scenario 5 is the least favorable practice. This research designs scenarios that contribute to reductions in the demand for virgin sources and increases in environmental gains.

In environmental management, there are many opportunities to improve wood waste (WW) management practices. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), according to ISO 14040, is a tool used to assess the environmental impacts related to a product throughout its life cycle. Thus, this article aims to propose guidelines for the creation of future LCAs of wood waste management systems in a consistent and standardized way based on the deficiencies and examples found in the studies that comprise the extensive bibliographic review of this research. During the selection of studies, the methodology termed Methodi Ordinatio was used, which considers the three most relevant points to qualify a scientific study: the impact factor; the year of publication; and the number of citations. Fifty (50) articles were identified to create a general map of the literature relevant to the topic under study. We carried out a critical review that highlights the lack of standardization and clarity of the research in this area. For example, in relation to the total number of studies analyzed, 67% did not clarify the type of analysis (attributional or consequential). Several recommendations and perspectives within the LCA of WW management were highlighted, such as the need to analyze impact categories other than climate change and to include economic and social analyses in new studies. In order to leverage all these research opportunities, it is important that LCA practitioners adopt global standardization. In future research, the guiding proposal presented in this study can improve the comparison between scenarios and the consistency of results.

Wood waste (WW) from the furniture industry is a material that deserves special attention, given that it is still relatively unexplored in manufacturing industries. Therefore, this study aims to elaborate guidelines for decision-making in the furniture industry’s wood waste, focusing on the north–central region of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, as a spatial outline of the research. The SWOT matrix is the main methodology for this stage of analysis, based on the previous study of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), the calculation of the Material Circularity Index (MCI), and the field research conducted in the industries. The obtained results show promising recycling scenarios over energy recovery, and the studied guidelines indicate this path. The three basic guidelines include discouraging the disposal of wood waste potentially usable as raw material into landfills; encouraging the use of wood waste based on the concept of industrial symbiosis; and promoting the creation of a market for the use of WW as a raw material in new products. Finally, with the proposed guidelines, it will be possible to contribute to the decision-making process on the management of wood waste from the furniture industry, reduce the amount of wood waste discarded in landfills, and increase the recycling rate. All of this being covered by a market created and maintained for the adequate management of wood waste. Furthermore, despite focusing on a Brazilian region for analysis, this paper intends to contribute to future research in the field, to be conducted in other locations.

O sistema construtivo contêiner tornou-se atrativo para a construção civil ao fazer a reciclagem e reutilização de um produto, mas a sua tão propagada sustentabilidade, ainda está por ser comprovada, pois deve contemplar os aspectos ambientais, econômicos e sociais de todo o seu ciclo de vida. Uma das ferramentas consolidadas que abrange todas essas questões é a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV). Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo realizar uma revisão crítica da literatura sobre Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida de edificações construídas com contêineres, identificar as melhores práticas e deficiências, tendo como referência as normas ISO e propor recomendações para futuros estudos nessa área. A metodologia empregada para a revisão sistemática foi a Knowledge Development Process – Constructivist (Proknow-C). Como resultado, o trabalho traz à luz recomendações para melhores práticas de ACV aplicadas a edificações em contêiner. Por exemplo, a unidade funcional (UF) adotada deve ser explicitada detalhadamente, porque os módulos avaliados apresentam diferentes padronizações. Várias lacunas foram evidenciadas, como a necessidade de ampliação dos estudos referentes a outros impactos ambientais, além do uso de energia e emissão de CO₂ na atmosfera. Por fim, a revisão crítica realizada, identificou uma série de pontos que necessitam de maior clareza ou serem explicitados. Dessa forma, fica latente a necessidade de se padronizar os estudos, para uma melhor prática de ACV. Com a adoção de um protocolo único, será possível obter resultados mais robustos e que possam ser facilmente comparados com outras pesquisas.

Sistema construtivo contêiner para Habitação Social: desafios de implantação e possibilidades construtivas/ Container constructive system for Social Housing: implementation challenges and constructive possibilities

Sistemas construtivos industrializados para habitação social: análise do container como uma nova alternativa / Industrial constructive systems for social housing: container analysis as a new alternative