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

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


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10

20

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50

60

70

C&DW arisings (Mtonnes/a)

Germany

Belgium

Austria

Netherlands

Switzerland

CzechRepublicSpain

Tyrol


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1

Recycling ratio (%)

Germany

Belgium

Austria

Netherlands

Switzerland

Czech Republic

Spain

Tyrol


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5

10

15

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25

30

Substitution of primary materials (%)

Germany

Belgium

Austria

Netherlands

Switzerland

Czech Republic

Spain

Tyrol


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%


How are recycled aggregates produced?

1/3 – 1/2 in fixed plants2/3 – 1/2 in mobile plants

What are the type of products? Mainly concrete-, mixed- and asphalt aggregates

Where are they applied Road construction, concrete, cement, asphalt


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


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


Item Recycling scenario Landfill scenario

Energy input (MJ) 1318 1495

Use of primary resources (kg)

758 1.894

Landfill use (m3) - 1.26

Emissions (in g.)

SO2 55.76 79.36

Pb 1.85 E-03 2.32 E-03

CO2 228860 254794

CH4 0.91 1.76


General problems felt

• Germany, Austria: waste status• Netherlands: increasing waste volumes• Spain: control of waste flows


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


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


Important developments

• Application in concrete• New separation technologies• Increase in volumes (Netherlands: 25

Mton now, 44 Mton in 2025)• Slight increase in recycling rates


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


New EU Waste Strategy

• 2006: reading European Parliament– Definition of byproducts– Targets for recycling

• 2007: reading European Council– Definition of byproducts


What does the EU say

Waste Hierarchy Proposal for Life Cycle Approach. Hierarchy still “voluntary”

Requirements for Landfills

Commission considers in its Strategy that enforcement must be improved

Product/waste End-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


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


Documents

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