The European Union could save about 7,500 Millions Euro each year by better managing and using materials from construction and demolition waste, bearing in mind that more than two tons of construction and demolition waste per capita are generated each year, and the Cost per ton is € 10.

With the aim of presenting the new “Management Protocol for Construction and Demolition Waste” in the EU and analyzing the business opportunities offered by the management of these materials, “transforming this mountain of waste into an economic and social opportunity”, experts from the sector and the European Commission held a conference in Madrid that brought together the main market players to share good practices and create new opportunities.

Construction and demolition waste represent a risk to the environment and present real challenges for the EU. Each European citizen generates more than two tons of construction and demolition waste per year. To transform this mountain of waste into an economic and social opportunity, experts from the sector and from the European Commission have drawn up the Protocol for the management of construction and demolition waste in the EU.

The guidelines contained in the Protocol are based on an analysis carried out by experts in the field and aim to help maximize the reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste in all Member States, which will ultimately benefit all citizens. The general objective of the Protocol is to increase confidence in the management process of construction and demolition waste, as well as in the quality of recycled materials from both activities. By fostering the construction and demolition waste market, thousands of quality jobs could be created.

To boost the growth of the sector, it is essential that there is a circular economy of construction, through demolition and subsequent reconstruction with materials created from the recycling of waste. Taking into account that a ton of waste is worth approximately € 10, each year around 7,500 Millions Euro could be saved in the EU, using better materials from construction and demolition waste. And not only would the construction sector benefit: every ton that is recycled implies a ton less of waste, which would generate obvious benefits for the environment. The Spanish version of the Protocol can be downloaded at http://www.ec.europa.eu/DocsRoom/documents/20509/attachments/1/translations

Source:
Alimarket / www.bigmat.es