Circularity in Selected EU Countries: The Case of Construction and Demolition Industry

N. Dytianquin, J. Gregersen-Hermans, N. Kalogeras, J. van Oorschot, M. Ritzen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperAcademicpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The construction and demolition industry (CDI) became a priority area for the EU circular economy as the industry has the largest waste stream by volume. Most of the CDI waste, however, ends up in incinerators for energy production or as downcycled content for road surfaces despite its enormous potential for recycling and reuse. This study focuses on the application of circularity in the CDI. We recognize that the construction industry provides a prominent decision context for studying circularity since many scrap materials resulting from demolished buildings and houses could be recycled, reused and refurbished in newly constructed edifices from foundation to rooftops. Adopting the fundamental circularity concepts, the study intends to compare how selected countries as early adopters of circularity in the EU apply distinct concepts of the circular economy in the CDI. The study investigates the manner circularity in CDI is achieved in the selected countries using determinants for project success in integrating the three dimensions of sustainability to identify and determine best practices. These determinants are: 1) stage of circularity as described in the waste hierarchy and circularity ladder, 2) building design principles, 3) life cycle stages specific to construction, and 4) availability and extent of policy or strategy on circularity in the EU countries where the selected projects are located. The EU countries covered are: the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and Denmark who are among the top 10 waste generators in Western Europe. The projects chosen are: (i) Superlocal project in the Netherlands; (ii) the Circular Retrofit Lab (CRL) project in Belgium; (iii) Open Air Library in Germany; (iv) Rehafutur Engineer's House project in France; and (v) Upcycle Studios in Denmark.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCrossing Boundaries 2021
PublisherIOP Publishing
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Dec 2021
EventConference on Crossing Boundaries 2021 - Virtual, Online, Netherlands
Duration: 24 Mar 202125 Mar 2021

Publication series

NameIOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
PublisherInstitute of Physics Publishing
Volume855
ISSN (Print)1755-1307

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposiumConference on Crossing Boundaries 2021
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityVirtual, Online
Period24/03/2125/03/21

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