CIRCULAR ECONOMY BASED SOLUTIONS DEMONSTRATING THE EFFICIENT RECOVERY OF VALUABLE MATERIAL RESOURCES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE


İlcan H., Özçelikci E., Şahmaran M.

Bulletin of Romanian Chemical Engineering Society, vol.11, no.1, pp.30-37, 2024 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

Abstract

The main objective is to develop and demonstrate novel cost-effective circular smart solutions for an upgraded recovery of secondary building raw materials along the entire circular value chain: from End-of-Life Building materials (EBM) to new building products prepared for circularity and resource-efficiency in built environment. The goal was to enhance the development and demonstration of intelligent solutions that improve the cost-effectiveness, reliability, and performance of quantifying, tracing, and managing EBM. The focus was on designing, developing, and demonstrating cost-effective building products designed for easy disassembly and resource efficiency, encompassing both materials and energy. This involved substituting significant portions (30-100 wt.%) of virgin raw materials with high-purity recycled building materials. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of establishing a circular economy within the built environment through the integration of waste recycling practices into construction materials. As a result, tons of idle EBM will be transformed into value-added products, reducing environmental burdens associated with construction activities.