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[Display omitted] • A life cycle costing method was developed to optimize the cow raising system. • Using manure as fertilizer yields the greatest environmental and economic benefits. • Manure management choices are responsible for 58% of the carbon footprint variation. • Investment in fertilizer utilization yields up to a 3-fold environmental benefit. • Chinese milk production may reach a carbon peak value of 69 Mt CO 2 eq by 2057. Waste management signifies an equilibrium between environmental and economic factors. However, a comprehensive understanding of the integrated life cycle environmental-economic performance of waste management activities remains unclear. To facilitate a systematic linkage between the economic and environmental sectors, a regionalized life cycle assessment-based life cycle costing method was developed based on China's actual status quo. The cow manure utilization was set as an entry point to explored long-term environmental-economic performance of milk production under various manure utilization pathways. The results show that trade-offs were observed between internal and external costs as well as various environmental indicators. The choice of waste utilization is the focal point of environmental-economic trade-offs in the cow raising system. The optimal environmental-economic performance was achieved through the manure fertilizer utilization pathway, yielding a remarkable three-fold increase in marginal environmental benefits. Compared with fertilizer utilization, the manure direct returning to field reduced the carbon footprint by 12% while induced an external cost of $14.3. The wastewater treatment pathway is $ 5.5 lower in internal costs but $ 11.7 higher in external costs than those of fertilizer utilization. Overall, utilizing manure has potential to mitigate the upward trend of carbon footprint and external costs. However, achieving the carbon peak remains a significant challenge. A promising solution is the recycling of straw resources within cropping systems, particularly in hotspot regions (e.g., Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Hebei, and Shandong). A comprehensive analysis of the dynamic interplay between cropping systems and cow raising systems is critical steps towards realizing a carbon-neutral future within the dairy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potatoes, as a crucial crop for future food security, face challenges due to environmental externalities throughout their production process, which may impede the industry's environmental and economic sustainability. However, knowledge gaps persist regarding the integrated environmental-economic performance of potato production systems. This study aims to (1) construct the linkages among potato agronomic activities, pollution emissions, environmental impacts, and economic input and output, (2) evaluate the environmental-economic burden flows of potato production across 26 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020, (3) explore the spatiotemporal variation of environmental–economic performance, and (4) provide feasible recommendation for sustainable potato production. This study developed an integrated life cycle environmental-economic assessment framework that combines life cycle environmental impact assessment, economic assessment, and life cycle costing methods. Chinese status quo (e.g., temperature, precipitation, population, life expectancy, geographic location, and resource conditions) and field remediation projects were considered. The results reveal that in 2020, the external costs associated with potato production amounted to $3.3 billion, constituting 17.2% of the total costs (including actual and external costs). Predominantly, these external costs are predominantly attributable to the global warming impact, with an estimated 172.1 kg CO 2 eq per ton of potatoes produced. Accounting for external costs, the profitability of potato production is projected to decrease by 35.7%. Targeted reduction in fertilizer and electricity inputs could mitigate external costs by 1.5 and 2 times, respectively. Although the potential exists for sustainability improvements, our analysis indicates current potato production has environmental-economic merits compared with major crops. Consuming 100 g of cooked potatoes can help avoid approximately 1.29 min of health damage. Temporal variations highlight a positive trend in potato production in China, wherein a harmonious balance between economic development and environmental protection is observed. Nonetheless, regional disparities in environmental-economic performance are evident, with high-output areas primarily concentrated in the central region (between 100°E and 110°E), yet seldom achieving high efficiency. This study underscores the importance of leveraging the potential of potato production in regions like Shanxi, Shandong, and the Yangtze River basin to enhance overall environmental-economic sustainability in the potato industry and foster sustainable agricultural development in China. [Display omitted] • A life cycle environmental–economic assessment of potato production is conducted. • Environmental burden of potato production potentially reduces profitability by 36%. • Reducing input in fertilizer use yields environmental benefits by 1.5 times. • Eating potato has environmental–economy–nutrition benefits compared to staple foods. • Energy utilization of potato straw has environmental–economic synergistic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabrication is regarded as a pivot for realizing sustainable building construction. Nevertheless, the sustainable manufacture level of prefabricated components remains unclear. To fill this gap, this study analyzed the environmental impact and optimization potential of prefabricated components via a life cycle assessment (LCA) method. Additionally, social and economic cost were assessed through LCA-based life cycle costing method to reveal the sustainability of prefabricated components. Results indicated that prefabrication rates of 50% and 30% could reduce the potential global warming impact by 31.78% and 13.94%, respectively, compared with the conventional construction method. However, prefabricated components production in China generated up to $ 4.35 × 109 social cost, with critical optimization areas focused on the provinces of Shandong and Hubei. By using artificial neural network estimation, 30% replacement of concrete by demolished concrete lumps could reduce potential fossil depletion and social cost by 10%, decreasing 5.08 × 109 kg CO 2 eq potential global warming for China. Meanwhile, partial replacement of fuels with refuse-derived fuels and improved steel scrap utilization could contribute to further improving environmental performance. • Prefabricated component sustainability was analyzed via a life cycle approach. • Social cost of prefabricated components accounted for 25% in life cycle cost. • A prefabrication rate of 50% can reduce potential global warming by 31.78%. • Reusing demolished concrete lumps can yield around 10% of ecosystem benefits. • Employing refuse-derived fuels and improved adoption steel scrap are eco-friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]