On 10 November 2016, the European Commission (DG GROW) issued a protocol which provides guidance on managing construction and demolition waste (C&DW). Developed by Ecofys, the protocol aims to increase industry's confidence in the waste management process and the quality of recycled C&DW materials.
On 9 June 2015, the European Parliament’s think-tank published a policy brief which aims to identify the policy challenges and opportunities relating to waste management. Entitled “Understanding waste management – Policy challenges and opportunities”, it provides some interest facts about the status of waste in Europe, noting that waste from construction accounts for 33% of the waste generated.
The Aviva Stadium is built on the site of the former Lansdowne Road stadium, which was demolished in 2007. The stadium, located adjacent to Lansdowne Road railway station, officially opened on 14 May 2010.
On 16 April 2015, the European public broadcaster viEUws debated the issue of the Circular Economy with European Commission DG Environment Director General Karl Falkenberg. During the debate, entitled ‘How can Europe capitalise on the circular economy’, Mr Falkenberg confirmed that work on the coming circular economy package is underway.
On 18 January 2016, the European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report entitled “Circular economy in Europe - Developing the knowledge base”. According to the authors, fundamental changes throughout the value chain (from product design and production processes to new business models and consumption patterns) are required in order to create a circular economy. In this respect, recycling will turn waste into a resource and extending product lifetimes will help preserve natural resources.
Commissioned by The Concrete Initiative, this study by the European Cement Research Academy (ECRA) entitled “Closing the loop: What type of concrete re-use is the most sustainable option?” looks at the different options for recycling concrete.
On 26 June 2015, the European Commission launched the process to develop a protocol for C&DW management with Member States and industry. The Protocol should “develop a common set of technical, environmental and managerial principles, which are applicable in the entire EU and based on the highest common standards in each stage of the waste management chain that would be recognised in all Member States.”
On 14 April 2015, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health & Food Safety (ENVI) debated the recently published Draft Own Initiative Report (INI) on the Circular Economy (Resource efficiency: moving towards a circular economy), produced by rapporteur Sirpa Pietikäinen (Finland, Group of the European People’s Party – Christian Democrats).
The European Commission has embarked on several initiatives to analyse and improve construction and demolition waste (C&DW) recycling rates across Europe. According to the Commission, construction and demolition waste accounts for a third of the EU’s total waste production per year, amounting to some 450-500 million tonnes.
Bridging the gap between technical feasibility & policy needs(upon invitation only) On 2 July 2014, the European Commission adopted its Circular Economy package. This package includes a Communication on Resource Efficiency Opportunities in the Building Sector. One of the key areas within this communication is the recycling of construction and demolition waste (C&DW).
On 27 October, stakeholders gathered in Brussels for the first in a series of thematic lunches organised by The Concrete Initiative. The debate centred around recycling concrete construction and demolition waste, focusing on ways of bridging the gap between what is technical feasible and the policies which are required. This event comes at a very relevant time, given the recently launched Communication on resource efficiency opportunities in the building sector. Participants included representatives from both the environment and enterprise Directorates General of the European Commission, as well as the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands, the European Demolition Association and experts in the field of concrete recycling from industry and academia. Various avenues were explored, providing plenty of food for thought as the EU moves forward with its proposals put forward in the Communication.
