Environmental and Performance Assessment of Waste-Based Geopolymer Concrete: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable infrastructure has accelerated interest in eco-friendly alternatives to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Geopolymer concrete (GPC), synthesised from industrial by-products and activated with alkaline solutions, offers a promising pathway to reduce carbon emissions while utilising diverse waste materials. This systematic literature review, conducted using the PRISMA methodology, analyses 65 relevant studies published in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia over the past decade. The review evaluates agricultural, industrial, construction and demolition (C&D), hazardous, municipal, biogenic, and e-waste as potential substitutes in GPC. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was carried out using OpenLCA and ReCiPe Midpoint (H) 2016 indicators to quantify environmental impacts across different compressive strength categories (0–50 MPa and 51–100 MPa). Results indicate substantial reductions in global warming potential, fossil resource scarcity, and terrestrial acidification when incorporating materials such as wood ash, groundnut shell ash, and steel slag, compared to conventional OPC concretes (M40 and M80 grades). Overall, this study highlights the environmental advantages and performance viability of waste-infused geopolymer concrete, emphasising its role in advancing sustainable construction practices.