Life cycle assessment of the artisanal bamboo pole (Guadua angustifolia) production in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

The artisanal production of bamboo poles is an income alternative for small producers in countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Despite the positive impact on climate change from the use of this renewable material for construction purposes, there is a gap in knowledge about the environmental footprint of this production system. This study assessed the potential environmental impacts of the artisanal production process of bamboo poles (Guadua angustifolia) in the Brazilian Amazon. A life cycle assessment (LCA) conducted within an artisanal production unit (PU) of bamboo poles, in the municipality of Rio Branco, state of Acre, in the Brazilian Amazon, encompassed the entire production chain, from bamboo planting to the chemically treated bamboo poles. The environmental impact category that prominently emerged was Human Carcinogenic Toxicity (HCT), achieving 93% of the total impact generated. Shaving and cutting waste and discarded poles accounted for 91% of the total impact generated by the artisanal bamboo production chain. The findings highlight the need to explore alternative methods for the chemical treatment of bamboo poles and to enhance the management of solid waste, emphasizing the optimization of water usage in the treatment process. Addressing these aspects is imperative for mitigating the environmental footprint associated with the artisanal bamboo production chain and promoting the bioeconomy in the Brazilian Amazon