.webp)
European projects are working to reduce, reuse, and recycle construction waste in support of circular economy practices.
Construction in Europe generates an alarming amount of waste, as a whole 40% of wastes generated in this region comes from construction and demolition waste. Thus, 65 participants representing the European Commission, and 14 LIFE and EU-funded projects had attended a two-day meeting focusing on challenges and innovative solutions for the reduction, reuse, and recycling of CDW.
Among these initiatives is LIFE WASTE2BUILD, which has developed a digital marketplace in Toulouse, France. The marketplace enables builders to acquire high-quality recycled materials from demolition sites. Another project is LIFE CIRRCON, which aims at producing reinforced concrete in Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands. Crushed aggregates from the demolition sites are used as primary material combined with recycled binders.
At LIFE CIRRCON, reusing recycled binding material reduces waste and lessens our dependence on non-renewable resources," says Atteyeh Natanzi, R&D Manager at Techcrete, a project partner.
Other projects presented at the meeting include LIFE ECO TILES, which develops terrazzo tiles from recycled urban glass and ceramic waste, and I-LOOP LIFE, a solution for recycling glass wool used in insulation.
Florian Flachenecker, EU Policy Officer, underlined that a collective approach to promoting the recycling and reusing of construction waste is a must. "The architects and consumers have to change their minds as well; it is about the policymakers to adopt a circular mindset."
The meeting discussed the latest EU policies, including the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal, which will help reduce waste and improve sustainability in the construction sector. This cooperation between EU projects and policy makers is a step closer to a more sustainable and circular construction industry.
.webp)
