Abstract
The revised EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) includes a 70 % target for recovery of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. In order to study the potential change in the resource management of the main C&D waste fractions, as a consequence of fulfilling the WFD target, a Nordic project (ENCORT-CDW) has been performed. Waste fractions studied included asphalt, concrete, bricks, track ballast, gypsum-based construction materials and wood. Recovery scenarios were identified and estimations were made regarding expected savings of primary materials, impact on transport, and pollution and emissions. For wood waste, the main differences between re-use, material recycling and energy recovery were evaluated in a carbon footprint screening based on life cycle assessment methodology. The study concluded that the EU recovery target does not ensure a resource efficient and environmentally sustainable waste recovery in its present form since: It is very sensitive to how the legal definitions of waste and recovery are interpreted in the Member States. This means that certain construction material cycles might not count in the implementation reports while other, less efficient and environmentally safe, recovery processes of the same material will count.It is weight-based and consequently favours large and heavy waste streams. The result is that smaller flows with equal or larger resource efficiency and environmental benefit will be insignificant for reaching the target.It does not distinguish between the various recovery processes, meaning that resource efficient and environmentally safe recovery cannot be given priority.Improved knowledge on C&D waste generation and handling, as well as on content and emissions of dangerous substances, is required to achieve a sustainable recovery.
Highlights
The revised framework for waste management in the EU (WFD) [1] which was adopted in 2008 includes a target for recovery of construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) which reads ‘‘by 2020, the preparing for re-use, recycling and other material recovery, including backfilling operations using waste to substitute other materials, of nonhazardous construction and demolition waste excluding naturally occurring material defined in category 17 05 04 in the list of waste shall be increased to a minimum of 70 % by weight.’’Waste Biomass Valor (2017) 8:1491–1504The recovery target was added during the final negotiations of the Directive text and rules for verifying compliance was established in 2011 [2]
It is very sensitive to interpretations of what is considered as waste and waste recovery
This fact is significant since the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) definitions of waste recovery actions such as re-use or recycling, are mainly aimed at the building construction field and does not fit well with materials recovered within other construction fields
Summary
The recovery target was added during the final negotiations of the Directive text and rules for verifying compliance was established in 2011 [2]. The rules specify 27 waste codes, which are covered by the target. No waste containing dangerous substances is included. The only type of ‘‘soil’’2 covered by the target is track ballast not containing dangerous substances. The rules for verifying compliance include the calculation method that Member States should use for implementation reports.
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