Geospatial optimization and life cycle assessment of structural steel reuse hubs

Although nearly all (98%) structural steel in the United States is recycled, direct reuse remains limited due to the lack of dedicated reuse infrastructure. Here, we present an integrated geospatial optimization and life cycle assessment framework to evaluate the logistical and environmental performance of structural steel reuse at a regional scale in Massachusetts, USA. Results show that a configuration of 9 reuse hubs reduces total network costs by ∼50% and total transportation distances by ∼15% relative to a centralized system, while maintaining short average transport distances. Reuse achieves an 86% reduction in global warming potential compared with recycling, with consistent reductions across all five assessed TRACI categories. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses confirm the robustness of these benefits under extended transport, material rejection, and increased fabrication intensity. These findings demonstrate that coupling spatially optimized infrastructure with circular material strategies can substantially reduce embodied carbon in construction, informing policy and infrastructure planning.