PROJECTS DESCRIPTION

In the construction sector (SC) the closing of material cycles is the driving force for the transition from linear to circular economy. In this context, in addition to minimizing materials discarded as waste, the reintroduction of materials into the cycle as raw materials is an extremely relevant object. Construction and demolition waste (RCD) represent about a third of the waste generated in the world and is composed mainly of mineral resources that can be recovered. The processing of the RCD is essential in maintaining the materials in the production cycle for a longer period, maximizing their value and ensuring adequate quality for the intended application. To achieve this goal, the EU Construction and Demolition Waste Management Protocol recognizes the essential role of pre-demolition and / or renovation audits and selective demolition. In 2018, the European Commission presented recommendations for waste audits before the demolition and / or renovation of buildings. However, factors such as the type of materials and elements, as well as local typologies of construction, highlight the need for the development of guides at Member State level. The main advantages of conducting demolition and / or renovation pre-audits are: i) data recovery and provision of information to all interested parties involved in the process; ii) presentation of possible scenarios for reuse and recycling of the identified materials; iii) definition of recovery goals to be achieved based on the quantities and accessibility of the RCD. The CLOSER Project - Close to Resources Recovery seeks to develop a Portuguese guide for preliminary demolition and / or renovation audits applicable to the Portuguese reality. The CLOSER consortium joins the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC), the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the Institute of Public Markets, Real Estate and Construction (IMPIC) which have competences at national level, and complementary competences in the areas of civil engineering works, environment, and construction regulation. To implement the proposed guide, a study on demolition and / or renovation pre-audits in the EU is planned to be carried out to identify the best material inventory practices, as well as the list of most relevant hazardous substances. Feedback from stakeholders on this type of audits is also expected, including designers, owners, waste managers, consultancy organizations and public entities related to RCD. Based on the information obtained, it is planned to: i) analyse the possible scenarios for pre-audits; ii) outline national recommendations to be included in the pre-audit guide; iii) suggest operational measures for the implementation of pre-audits; iv) apply the methodology developed in the guide to a real demolition and / or renovation project. The main impacts expected with the development and implementation of the CLOSER project are: i) Reduction of the levels of hazardous substances in the RCD to be recovered, with the consequent reduction of the environmental impacts associated with the disposal of contaminated RCD and the improvement of working conditions for operators waste management as they process safer materials; ii) greater production of homogeneous raw materials from the RCD over time, which will result in greater reliability and quality of recycled materials; iii) definition of final applications for raw materials obtained from RCD, which allows a high recognition of the intrinsic value of these materials; iv) greater availability of information regarding the recovery and recycling of RCD, which increases the performance of stakeholders in the demolition and / or rehabilitation process. At the national level, CLOSER pursues the objectives of the transition agenda proposed by SC, outlined in the Portuguese Plan of Action for the Circular Economy.

(last update April 2021)