Sustainable Supply Chain Management in Green Building Projects
Author : Tejashree Joshi
Abstract :
This study explores sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in green building projects with a focus on material selection, waste reduction, and eco-friendly procurement. A certified green building (LEED/IGBC) is examined as a case study to understand how supply chain decisions influence both environmental impact and project costs. The research applies methods such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure embodied carbon, Life Cycle Costing (LCC) to analyze long-term expenses, Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) to optimize inventory of eco-materials, and a vendor evaluation matrix to assess suppliers on multiple criteria. The results highlight the trade-offs between cost and sustainability, showing how some eco-friendly materials reduce carbon emissions but involve higher upfront costs. The study also proposes strategies such as requiring Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in procurement, using just-in-time (JIT) delivery to minimize waste, and prioritizing vendors with certified low-carbon products. Overall, the findings suggest that integrating SSCM principles in green building projects can significantly reduce environmental impact while remaining economically viable, thereby supporting sustainable construction practices in the industry. The findings reveal that sustainable materials such as fly-ash blended cement, recycled steel, and low-emissivity glass significantly reduce embodied carbon compared to conventional alternatives. However, some options involve moderate cost premiums, highlighting the trade-offs between short-term expenditure and long-term environmental gains. The case study further demonstrates that applying EOQ and just-in-time (JIT) delivery strategies reduces material waste and inventory-related emissions. Moreover, procurement strategies that prioritize suppliers with verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) improve supply chain transparency and sustainability outcome.
Keywords :
Green Building Projects, Life Cycle Costing, Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Waste Reduction in Construction, IGBC/LEED Certification.
