Recycling of C&DW in Europe Geert Cuperus F.I.R. An international contribution to sustainable development

Contents Waste statistics Relevant issues and developments The new EU waste strategy An international contribution to sustainable development

Recycling within the EU F.I.R. countries: 150 Mton C&DW, 60% recycling rate  380 Mton in the EU Recycling rate non-F.I.R. countries Recycling rate in the EU 5%20% 10%25% 15%27% An international contribution to sustainable development

How are recycled aggregates produced? 1/3 – 1/2 in fixed plants 2/3 – 1/2 in mobile plants What are the type of products?Mainly concrete-, mixed- and asphalt aggregates Where are they appliedRoad construction, concrete, cement, asphalt An international contribution to sustainable development

Quality Assurance scheme in place? 7 of the eight F.I.R. countries Does it include leaching tests? Yes Which % does not fulfill leaching criteria? Belgium: 11% Netherlands: mostly fulfills An international contribution to sustainable development

Effects of C&DW recycling F.I.R. information document for EC Negligible leaching into soil Saving of natural resources Saving of landfill space Less emissions, for instance CO2 Significant employment Sound economic sector An international contribution to sustainable development

ItemRecycling scenarioLandfill scenario Energy input (MJ) Use of primary resources (kg) Landfill use (m 3 )-1.26 Emissions (in g.) SO Pb1.85 E E-03 CO CH An international contribution to sustainable development

General problems felt Germany, Austria: waste status Netherlands: increasing waste volumes Spain: control of waste flows An international contribution to sustainable development

Landfill Directive and recycling Germany: if properly applied, costs must raise. However: waste hierarchy not compulsory Belgium: landfilling is prohibited Netherlands: positive effects. In parallel incineration of non-inert must be discouraged Spain: poor enforcement An international contribution to sustainable development

How can EU promote recycling Better distinction waste – products Ban on landfilling recyclable waste Stick to waste hierarchy Prescribe the use of recycled aggregates Promote the use of recycled aggregates in concrete Improve transposition of Directives An international contribution to sustainable development

Important developments Application in concrete New separation technologies Increase in volumes (Netherlands: 25 Mton now, 44 Mton in 2025) Slight increase in recycling rates An international contribution to sustainable development

New EU Waste Strategy 2005: Thematic Strategy  EU to become a Recycling Society 2005: Commission proposal revision of the Waste Framework Directive –Life Cycle Thinking –End-of-waste criteria –Waste prevention programs –Simplification and clarification An international contribution to sustainable development

New EU Waste Strategy 2006: reading European Parliament –Definition of byproducts –Targets for recycling 2007: reading European Council –Definition of byproducts An international contribution to sustainable development

What does the EU say Waste HierarchyProposal for Life Cycle Approach. Hierarchy still “voluntary” Requirements for Landfills Commission considers in its Strategy that enforcement must be improved Product/wasteEnd-of-waste criteria to be developed Prescribe the use of recycled aggregates This is not adressed Promote recycling of non-inert C&DW Proposed “Recycling” definition discourages An international contribution to sustainable development

Conclusion F.I.R. countries show high recycling rates EU wide recycling of C&DW < 25% Recycling of C&DW pays high contribution to sustainable development EU is to support this right now An international contribution to sustainable development