The Waste Framework Directive sets a target for 70% recycling of construction, demolition and excavation waste across Europe by 2020. According to the latest figures available the amount of material recycled was 61.8%. This would indicate that progress is being made and the EU target is achievable. However, closer examination reveals that there is a huge difference between the top performers and those who have not grasped the opportunity presented by C&D waste recycling. 

Those member states that are on target have either hit the target already or will do so without much more effort. On the flip side, those states that will miss the target are so far behind schedule that it is not even achievable.

Surely the purpose of a target is to drive improvements, increase efficiency, and encourage innovation. The 70% recycling target from the WFD does none of these things in its current form. By not addressing this issue now we will waste the next six years waiting to report on a target, when we already know the answer.

The UK, Germany, France, Benelux and the Alpine States will all hit the 70% target and some have already reached it. The Nordics, Iberia, Italy and the countries in central and eastern Europe will all miss the target, but will have made some investment in basic processing technologies to reach the target.

While the industry focuses its efforts on a meaningless 70% recycling target the volume of CD&E waste produced across Europe will rise to over 1.1bnt/year, a 26% increase on the current level. A recent report from Frost & Sullivan stated: “While 95% of this C&D waste is reusable, recycling is just not being managed properly.” And a EU report from June 2013 titled ‘Ambitious waste targets and local and regional waste management’ stated: “.. best practices in Europe show that recycling rates over 80% and 90% are feasible. For those countries that are already achieving higher re-use, recycling and recovery rates the WFD does not provide an incentive to achieve higher targets. In principle, differentiated targets for these member states could be set in the WFD or alternatively in their national legislation.”

It is clear that there is recognition from industry commentators and at EU level that the 70% target from the WFD is no longer fit for purpose. However, any search for an alternative seems to have a very blinkered view and fails to ask two very important questions: Does a ‘one size fits all’ approach work? And are the targets focused in the right way – will they drive efficiency, protect the environment, and encourage innovation?

It is obvious from the latest available figures that the targets have created a very clear split between those member states that will achieve the target and those who will not. To be able to accurately predict this six years in advance of the deadline is all the evidence that is required that the current targets need to be reviewed and allowances made for individual market conditions within each member state.

Member States, where there are limited volumes of virgin materials, are obviously going to perform better than states where virgin materials are in abundance. Member states with high landfill taxes are incentivising the recycling of C&D waste material. There are some member states with relatively very low landfill costs so the disposing of C&D waste is still the most economically viable option. While this is not sustainable in the long term landfill taxes would need to rise by a huge multiple to bring these member states into line with others where high landfill charges already exist. This is simply not achievable by the 2020 deadline as no sitting government is going to stand over an increase as dramatic as this.

All of this assumes that simply measuring the volume of C&D waste that is recycled is the best way to drive improvements and innovation in the sector. So are the targets focused in the right way and will they drive efficiency, protect the environment, and encourage innovation?

The vast majority of CD&E waste in Europe is processed using basic processing technologies. The end result of this is recycled products that are only suitable for very low value construction applications. It is also clear that backfilling is still the dominant application for most of the recycled construction, demolition and excavation waste in Europe.

Within the WFD the targets to be achieved by 2020 are “Preparation for re-use, recycling and backfilling of 70% construction and demolition waste.” This seems to suggest that there is recognition that backfilling does not constitute recycling, yet when material is used for backfilling it is currently included within the recycling rates reported by the member states.

The reason for including backfilling within the reported numbers is easy to understand. It makes it easy to hit the 70% target by simply introducing the most basic processing technologies and producing material with little or no commercial value. This is a fundamental flaw in the current approach to CD&E waste recycling in Europe.

The current targets are aimed at reducing the volume of CD&E waste that is sent to landfill. This fails to recognise the valuable resource that CD&E waste is and the potential that exists for the production of higher value materials from this waste stream. 

While there is no doubt that there is a requirement for materials to be used in low value construction applications it is not doing anything for the perception of recycled aggregates when this is seen by many as the only potential use for this material. By introducing the advanced processing systems available for the processing of CD&E waste we can expand the range of applications for this material and change the perception of recycled sand and aggregates. It is only by doing this that we will achieve the aim of maximising the potential that exists from the efficient recycling of construction, demolition and excavation waste.

The evidence exists that recycled aggregates are a viable alternative to virgin aggregates in concrete, for example, yet only a tiny proportion of recycled material across Europe is currently used in concrete manufacturing. Australian government guidelines state that up to 30% of recycled aggregate can be used for structural concrete without any noticeable different in workability and strength when compared to virgin aggregates.

Many in the virgin aggregates business see recycled material as a threat when in fact it is exactly the opposite. The exploitation of recycled aggregates to their full potential ensures we protect aggregate supply from a sustainable source. It prolongs the life of the finite resources.

Do the current C&D waste recycling targets drive efficiency, protect the environment and encourage innovation? The answer is a resounding ‘No’. If we instead target the increased use of recycled C&D waste into higher value construction applications, such as concrete, we can turn this around. This would encourage the use of the advanced processing technologies that exist, which will produce recycled sand and aggregates with a much broader scope of application.

Increased specification of these higher value materials builds trust in the material and improves the perception of recycled material, leading to increased demand. This in turn creates demand from material producers for these advanced processing systems that need to invest in this technology in order to stay competitive and meet the new demands of their customers.

This in turn forces equipment manufacturers to continue to develop new ways of processing this material and drive innovation in processing technologies to maintain their own competitive advantage.

All of these things combine to change the perception of recycled material and ensure we are in a position to efficiently deal with the 1.1bnt of this material that will be generated across Europe by 2020.

Another indirect benefit of being proactive with this is that we address the difficulties in recruiting people to the construction materials and recycling sectors. We all play a part in demonstrating that we are operating in a 21st century industry that is prepared to go over and above basic adherence to legislation. By demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and maximising value from recycled materials we make our industry a much more attractive proposition as an innovative sector with a bright future. This is essential if we are to remain relevant, stay viable and secure the future innovation that will keep our sector thriving and strong.

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