Article Published In Vol.13 (Sep-Oct 2025)

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Bamboo-Based Building Systems: Integrating Environmental, Socio-Economic, and End-of-Life Perspectives

Author : Devesh Ojha, Laxmi Ojha and Rajendra Kumar Srivasta

The construction sector contributes nearly 40% of global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the need for sustainable material alternatives. Bamboo, with rapid renewability, high strength-to-weight ratio, and socio-economic benefits, is increasingly recognized as a viable substitute for conventional construction materials. This study applies to the ISO/TS 14072 Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) framework, integrating environmental life cycle assessment (E-LCA), social life cycle assessment (S-LCA), and life cycle costing (LCC), to evaluate bamboo-based dwellings against concrete and timber alternatives. The system boundary is cradle-to-grave, including cultivation, processing, construction, a 30-year operational phase, and four end-of-life (EoL) scenarios: reuse, recycling, biochar, and landfill. The functional unit was a 100 m² single-storey dwelling with bamboo-based structural components. Results indicate that bamboo construction reduced global warming potential by 72%, cumulative energy demand by 65%, and water use by 40% compared with reinforced concrete, though ecotoxicity impacts were 15–20% higher due to chemical treatments. Socio-economic assessment showed bamboo housing to be 23% more affordable, generating nearly three times more employment and retaining 28% more local income than conventional systems. At the EoL stage, reuse and recycling reduced emissions by an additional 12–18%, while biochar conversion achieved sequestration of up to 0.5 t CO₂ per m³ of residues. Overall, bamboo demonstrates substantial potential as a low-carbon and socially inclusive material, though advancements in treatment methods, recycling infrastructure, and design codes are required to scale adoption. Findings support the integration of bamboo housing into rural development strategies, contributing to SDG 8 and SDG 11.

Keywords: Bamboo construction, life cycle sustainability assessment, socio-economic impacts, end-of-life management, circular economy