Mashiyane, TMvelase, Gculisile M2026-02-212026-02-212025-10http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14706This study compares the environmental performance of two pavement types: conventional concrete using cement, gravel, and crushed stone, and an ash-based mix incorporating legacy ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). The ash-based option supports circular economy principles by repurposing waste and reducing dependence on virgin raw materials. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) in SimaPro, greenhouse gas emissions were evaluated across the pavements’ life cycles. Results show that conventional concrete generates about 66% more CO₂ emissions, mainly from cement production and aggregate processing. In contrast, the ash-based road achieved a 66% reduction in embodied carbon, highlighting its potential as a sustainable alternative. These findings demonstrate the value of circular economy strategies in road construction and confirm the role of secondary materials in lowering the sector’s carbon footprint.FulltextenLegacy-ashLife cycle analysisCircular economyEnvironmental assessmentConference Presentationn/a