EuRIC, the umbrella organisation for the recycling industries in Europe, has published a manifesto laying out what it considers to be five key policy recommendations that could help policymakers drive circularity in the construction sector in the EU’s new legislative period 2024-2029.
Among other things, the European Recycling Industries' Confederation would like to see improved waste separation on construction sites, clearly defined end-of-waste criteria and the introduction of specifications for recycled content in construction products, the main aim being to conserve resources, reduce environmental pollution and support the EU's climate targets.
To help achieve a fully circular economy, however, Europe’s construction industry, which already achieves relatively high recovery and reuse rates, has to be even more ambitious, particularly when it comes to recycling, EuRIC points out, criticising the fact that a large proportion of construction and demolition (C&D) waste currently used for backfilling is classified as recycled waste. Moreover, construction waste often ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental degradation and resource depletion.
According to EuRIC, one of the EU's political priorities in the coming years should therefore be to create incentives for recycling that will help stimulate the market for recycled construction and demolition waste. What is also needed is a "robust European regulatory framework" to foster the use of recycled building materials in the construction industry. EuRIC argues that giving preference to recycled materials through "green public procurement" in construction projects and establishing clear end-of-waste (EoW) criteria for recycled materials and products are among the most important legislative measures that should be pursued.
In this context, EuRIC emphasises the critical role of environmental product declarations (EPDs) and, in light of the comprehensive role they play in support of recycling, not only recommends they be made mandatory. The organisation would also like to see EPDs document product benefits besides carbon reduction – such as lower resource extraction, energy savings and reduced landfill waste, for example.
EuRIC calls for clear targets and pre-demolition audits
EuRIC also argues in favour of improving waste separation and recycling, emphasising the importance of more effective waste separation on construction sites with a view to increasing recycling rates. The umbrella organisation calls for clear targets and pre-demolition audits to ensure that materials such as concrete, metals and wood are properly separated and recycled.
Where technically feasible and economically viable, EuRIC advises demolishing underground structures, foundations and concrete structures separately to obtain high-quality recycled aggregates for the production of recycled concrete. Similarly, selective dismantling of above-ground parts of buildings could be a means of obtaining mixed recycled aggregates that are suitable for use in infrastructure projects and as subgrade material or backfill for yards.
EuRIC noted that the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) requires the EU Commission to consider setting specific recycling targets for different types of construction and demolition waste by the end of this year. However, the organisation has concerns about the implementation of current targets, which require that at least 70 per cent of non-hazardous C&D waste be recycled or prepared for reuse. In addition, backfilling should no longer be considered recycling, EuRIC argues Instead, the focus should be on genuine reuse and high-quality recycling.
EuRIC in favour of EU End-of-Waste Regulation
EuRIC is also in favour of EU-level end-of-waste Regulations for C&D waste and sees mandatory EoW criteria as instrumental to strengthening trust in and acceptance of recycled materials among building owners and authorities. In fact, harmonising these criteria with established national standards would help increase the uptake of recycled construction and demolition materials in new construction projects and facilitate the substitution of extracted raw materials, the manifesto points out, underlining the importance of EoW regulations in securing the market for recycled C&D materials and simplifying movement across the EU.
To promote a shift towards greater circularity in the European construction industry, EU legislation must make the use of recycled materials in construction products mandatory. At present, the market is failing to sufficiently secure the uptake of recycled materials, despite the fact that they offer the same quality and performance as primary construction materials but with added environmental benefits. EU legislation therefore has to drive demand for recycled C&D materials, while providing recyclers with the stability and investment security needed for them to expand their capacities throughout the EU, EuRIC argues. The criteria set down in the EU Construction Products Regulation are crucial in that they provide an opportunity to drive widespread demand for sustainable construction products in Europe, especially from the public sector, explained the recycling organisation.
Registration of recycled aggregates under REACH could lead to increased landfilling
Last but not least, EuRIC is advocating for changes to European chemicals legislation. Specifically, EuRIC is calling for legislation that promotes the circular economy without imposing undue economic burdens on recyclers. With regard to the potential introduction of mandatory registration for recycled aggregates under the REACh chemicals Regulation, the association has expressed concerns over the economic feasibility of such a move which could ultimately lead to increased landfilling, warns EuRIC.
"Our manifesto provides a clear roadmap for policymakers to increase circularity in construction and demolition, reduce environmental degradation and resource depletion while driving economic growth and innovation within the EU. We urge policymakers to prioritise these recommendations in the upcoming legislative term," commented EuRIC secretary general Julia Ettinger.
