Abstract
The reuse and recycling of materials can make an important contribution to the conservation of natural resources in the sense of a circular economy. This applies in particular to high quality recycling, supporting the material use of waste and closing product cycles. The construction sector is the most important sector in terms of available volume of materials for recycling. However, the largest share of recycling (RC) materials goes predominantly into road construction and underground engineering. This research developed a dynamic model and used a simulation tool to calculate future building material flows in the German construction sector of residential buildings to explore the medium- and long-term potential for RC concrete. The results show that, by increasing the RC rate of concrete to produce recycled aggregates for concrete (RAC) from currently 1.5% to 48%, up to 179 million tons of sand and gravel could be saved until 2060. If the current maximum secondary input rate of RAC of 45% is increased to 70%, the savings could rise over another 66 million tons. If a secondary input rate of 100% is applied, RAC could completely fulfill the demand for sand and gravel for new residential building in Germany from 2045 onwards. The approval of RC concrete for more concrete strength and exposure classes is required to avoid a surplus of RAC and a rapid exhaustion of landfill capacities in the future.
Highlights
The extraction and use of primary raw materials is associated with considerable emissions to air, water and soil, and the related interventions are the major cause for environmental impacts, such as land use change, disturbance of regional water balance and biodiversity loss [1]
The increased use of secondary raw materials, in the sense of a circular economy, can make an important contribution to limit the consumption of natural resources and to reduce environmental impacts compared to the use of primary raw materials [3]
This study focuses on the material-intensive building material flows in the German construction sector and examines the resource conservation potential that can be achieved through the use of RC materials in the construction of buildings
Summary
The extraction and use of primary raw materials is associated with considerable emissions to air, water and soil, and the related interventions are the major cause for environmental impacts, such as land use change, disturbance of regional water balance and biodiversity loss [1]. In the framework of the ‘European Green Deal’, the European Commission (EC) stressed the importance of the sustainable use of natural resources and long-term supply of raw materials for the prosperity of the global economy and society [2]. In this context, it is important to improve the collection and recycling processes of materials. The increased use of secondary raw materials, in the sense of a circular economy, can make an important contribution to limit the consumption of natural resources and to reduce environmental impacts compared to the use of primary raw materials [3]. ProgRess II addresses fields of action such as sustainable construction, renovation and use of buildings, mineral material cycles and eco-design [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
