Avoid construction waste through intelligent recycling management

How can we avoid 80% of construction waste in Europe through intelligent circular economy?

The average lifespan of a building in Europe is just under 40 years, then it is demolished. The reason is often what is known as functional obsolescence: if a building or even just part of it is to be put to a new or changed use, the necessary information on the original construction method is lacking for approval. Thus, the decision is usually made in favour of demolition and complete reconstruction.

This practice results in a large amount of construction and demolition waste, which accounts for 25-30 percent of all waste in Europe. It is true that the recycling rate with 75 percent in this sector appears high at first glance. But most construction waste is used in road construction and is no longer usable for the circular economy. Valuable components such as plaster partition walls, windows and façade elements usually end up in landfills.

We introduce you to the REINCARNATE project, which aims to anchor the idea of the circular economy in the European construction industry and significantly extend the life cycle of buildings, construction products and materials through innovative solutions. The solutions are being tested in concrete terms in the renovation and conversion of Tempelhof Airport, one of the largest construction projects currently underway in Berlin.

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Sabine Kruschwitz, Department of Non-destructive Testing at BAM

Find more info here:

https://www.bam.de/berlin-science-week

https://www.bam.de/Content/EN/Press-R...

https://www.bam.de/Navigation/EN/Topi...

https://www.bam.de/Navigation/EN/Abou...