Recycling Only as a Last Resort

Many regions have a lack of confidence in recycled products and face cultural resistance.

In a circular economy paradigm of “re-use, repair, recycle,” where waste is eliminated, the practice of recycling or downcycling becomes a last resort, as it typically results in a product of lesser value. Although diverse recycling techniques have been well developed globally, many regions have not implemented recycling methods for construction, renovation and demolition waste due to various limitations. These include: a lack of confidence and reluctance in recycled products, cultural resistance, lack of certainty around the economic feasibility and viability of investing in advanced recycling methods, poor communication and coordination among parties, and insufficient policies and regulations (Jin et al. 2017). Illegal dumping is also an issue, particularly in many developing countries.
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In the case of Lima, Peru, imported materials with high embodied carbon, such as steel and the cement used for concrete, make up around three-quarters of construction, renovation and demolition waste (Rondinel-Oviedo 2021). This is common across the developing world. However, much of this material could be recovered for reuse or recycling. Studies have shown specific examples where government incentives, awareness, and knowledge transfer, as well as legal and regulatory frameworks regarding recovery of these materials, have been effective (Liu, Bangs and Müller 2013).
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Recycling and reuse reduce the need to import virgin materials and also help promote the local value chain. On-site sorting and processing of materials benefit re-use and recycling enterprises and make waste management more efficient. Additionally, transfer plants and well-located re-use centres enable more efficient transport of these materials. The establishment of quality criteria for recycled products can enable certification of the final product, thereby increasing its market acceptance. Digitalisation can support waste diversion at the building end-of-life by monitoring and controlling material use and by providing recycling companies with advance notice of the type and amount of construction, renovation and demolition materials that will be transported to them (see chapter 6).