Potential of Waste Fibers from Abaca & Pineapple Leaf to Reduce Carbon Footprint in Concrete Formulation – a Case in the Philippines

To support responsible production and consumption while building sustainable cities and communities, using local resources can help curb the ever-increasing carbon footprint of the construction and cement industries. This study provides baseline estimates of the availability of waste fibers from abaca and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) production that could be tapped in implementing fiber-reinforced concrete designs. Additionally, this study offers a new perspective on how incorporating waste fibers into concrete mix design can lead to reduced cement usage and a potential reduction in carbon emissions. Approximately 50 kt/yr of waste fibers are generated and remain untapped. Given their availability, using waste fibers from abaca and PALF production in the Philippines could displace between 1 to 25 kg cement/m 3 of concrete, potentially resulting in an annual emissions reduction of 20 to 30 kt CO 2-eq .