Developing recycling of Construction & Demolition Waste

The approach of the circular economy requires that Construction & Demolition Waste, when this can no longer be reused, should be recycled.
The current goal of 70% set in the Waste Framework Directive is not met in many Member States. High quality recycling still puts a challenge and for many involved it is difficult to decide which steps to take.

Based on the experiences in countries where FIR is represented, we have analysed the relevant steps to be taken and the requirements to foster recycling. This has led to a guideline we wish to offer to all parties taking effort to develop recycling. A 10-step approach describes the most relevant items to consider and which we think are key to really make the difference.

Please find the brochure here.

TRACIMAT recognised by Flemish authorities

Flemish constructors, demolition companies and recyclers have together developed Tracimat, a novel methodology to track and trace C&DW. Tracimat certifies the selective demolition of buildings and construction and so assures that good quality material enters the recycling process. The elaborate traceability process of Tracimat enhances good quality recycling of C&DW and trust in recycled materials. Tracimat is incorporated in Flemish environmental legislation. More information can be found here.

• FPRG_Erkenning_Tracimatversie

Inertia 2016 successful again

From 21st to 23rd of September 2016 FIR member ANPAR organized in Ferrara the 5th edition of INERTIA, the national event on the recovery of inert wastes and the production of recycled and manufactured aggregates.

The program was interesting dealing with all the hot issues of our sector: market barriers, legislative barriers, end of waste criteria, technical specifications, Minimum Environmental Criteria of public tenders, and so on.

On the first morning three tables of discussion were organized to find good and shared solutions between operators and public authorities on these subjects:

1. Use of recycled aggregates in public works of Municipalities
2. Use of recycled aggregates in major civil works (railways, motorways, infrastructures, etc.)
3. Bounded uses of recycled aggregates

All the actors of the production chain and of the Public Authorities actively participated to the success of the discussion.

In the afternoon of the first day two workshops were organized. The first  one in cooperation with NAD (the national association of demolishers) focused on the predemolition audits, the waste management plans and the selective demolition on site. The second one, organized by Saint Gobain Group, on the management of gypsum and artificial fibres wastes focusing on their recovery.

The second day was dedicated to the end of waste criteria and the legislative and technical barriers to the development of the markets of recycled aggregates.

Mr. Vincent Basuyau of the European Commission was connected via skype to the room and presented the activities of the Commission and the new Protocol on the management of C&D wastes. General Secretary of FIR Geert Cuperus made a presentation on the interactions between the REACH Regulation and the End of waste criteria. The afternoon was dedicated to the manufactured aggregates both produced from the treatment of other than C&D wastes and from IBA. On mandate of Geert Cuperus,  Giorgio Bressi presented the activities of FIR on IBA and announced the birth of the IBA section of ANPAR.

The third day was as usual fully devoted to excavated soils. This subject is very interesting for the Italian operators because the legislators changed the rules many times in these last three years.

ANPAR considered the 2016 version of INERTIA successful, regarding the good interest of stakeholders and the good participation of the audience.

Commission study on C&DW

The Commission is currently preparing a study on Construction & Demolition Waste. Main items of this study are statistics and identification of drivers for recycling. On 25 May a workshop was held whereby interim results were discussed. FIR provided for two presentations during the workshop. The findings of the workshop can be found here.http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/studies/mixed_waste.htm

FIR emphasises the need to recycle Incinerator Bottom Ash

Incinerator Bottom Ash – IBA – contains many valuable materials. Metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous, can be recovered from IBA. Aggregates made from IBA are fit for use in construction works. Recycling IBA contributes to the overall goals of the Circular Economy. Several parties, including FIR, therefore argue that recycling of bottom ash should be included in the annual recycling reports of Member States for EU statistical services.

Read the Common Paper here.

• Common_statement_on_IBA_Recycling

Impact Assessment HP14

Classification of hazardous waste is based on hazardous properties HP1 to HP15. Of these hazardous properties HP14 (“Eco toxicity”) has not yet been completed with criteria. The European Commission has proposed three sets of criteria to classify waste according to HP14. The impacts of these criteria on several wastes including IBA have been assessed by the Commission. A report written on behalf of the European Commission can be found here.

Energy from Waste strategy

Whereas the European Commission is developing a strategy for the Energy Union, also the contribution of waste to energy is looked into. DG Environment will to that aim prepare a strategy on energy from waste. At current the Joint Research Centre in Seville is developing a study that looks into the potentials to maximize the efficiency of waste to energy. As part of the study, also the beneficial use of IBA is looked into.

International Green Deal IBA

Whereas The Netherlands are successfully developing a national Green Deal on IBA, an international Green Deal has now also been drafted by The Netherlands, France, Flanders and the United Kingdom for better trading of recyclable waste. This also includes the transborder shipment of IBA for which a good recycling infrastructure has been developed in some parts of Europe. The Green Deal must help to better use the resources available in IBA.