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Developing countries suffer from both lack of resources and appropriate solid waste management systems. Therefore, the introduction of alternative options for waste valorisation is imperative. The current research introduces an environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of waste-based briquettes produced with 80 % of non-recyclable cardboard waste from separate collections and 20 % sawdust from sawmills in Bolivia. The aim is to compare the environmental impacts generated within the briquette's life cycle with conventional fuels. Primary data from a development project implemented in La Paz in 2021 were collected for building the inventory. SimaPro9.0 was employed to conduct the analysis, with IMPACT2002+ as the impact assessment method. Results' normalization, contribution evaluation, interval assessment, and sensitivity analysis were carried out, and the results were compared with conventional fossil fuels, namely: coal, methane, and LPG. Results suggest that briquettes' life cycle contributes to seven of fifteen impact indicators, with global warming, use of non-renewable energy, and respiratory inorganics, the most important. The global warming potential ranges from 23.9 to 26.7 gCO 2 -eq. MJ−1, lower than about 485 % compared to coal and 185 % to methane. Considering the avoided impacts from wood and methane substitution, global warming potential can decrease to about 20.0 and 18.9 gCO 2 -eq. MJ−1 respectively. On balance, compared to other fuels for heating and cooking, waste-based briquettes always have better environmental performance transporting the briquettes to about 100–130 km from the production plant. These results suggest that waste-based briquettes can contribute to mitigating environmental impacts and carbon footprint at a global level. • Life cycle assessment of cardboard waste-based briquettes is conducted. • Environmental impacts are lower compared to fossil fuels. • Less than 25 gCO 2 -eq. MJ−1 is generated by the system. • Briquettes made of cardboard waste are recommended to be used in Andean areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste-based briquettes can be an alternative option that can foster the reduction of waste inflow into final disposal sites and introduce alternative energy sources for cooking and heating in rural areas. In particular, the assumption of waste-based briquettes in Andean areas can be of higher potential, due to the lack of biomass sources locally available and the low environmental temperature that increases the requirements of heating systems. The current research would provide a contribution to the scientific literature by introducing a combustion analysis at 3300 m above the sea level for comparing the thermal efficiency and emissions of sawdust and cardboard waste-based briquettes with conventional firewood for heating and cooking purposes. Laboratory tests were carried out for estimating five combustion efficiency parameters, as well as CO, CO 2 , and PM2.5 emissions. Results suggested that 80% cardboard and 20% sawdust briquettes increase the boiling time of water by about 30–50% compared to firewood, due to the lower combustion power (−44%). On the other hand, the thermal efficiency increases of about 10–13%, while biomass consumption and energy consumption per minute decrease by about 27% and 44%, respectively. In addition, emissions reduce compared to firewood, from 32.6 g CO kg−1 to 22.9 g CO kg−1 and from 1260 mgPM2.5 kg−1 to 933 mgPM2.5 kg−1. On balance, the research demonstrates that non-recyclable cardboard waste obtained from separate collection and discarded sawdust from sawmills can be employed for briquettes production as alternative fuels for heating systems in Andean rural areas, contributing to reducing waste final disposal and boosting circular systems. • Firewood and cardboard waste-based briquettes combustion evaluations are conducted. • 20% sawdust - 80% cardboard waste briquettes achieved higher thermal efficiency. • PM2.5 emissions are considerably lower for 80% cardboard waste briquettes. • Cardboard based briquettes can be a potential alternative fuel for the Andean area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]