PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPOSITE INDICATOR OF CIRCULARITY IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE (CDW) SECTOR

Abstract

The circular economy is central to promoting sustainability in the construction sector, especially in the management of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW). This article explores the importance of circularity indicators as key tools to assess and improve practices in this sector, with a particular focus on the proposed Integrated Circularity Index for CDW (ICICDW), which would provide a comprehensive view in the framework of the Circular Economy. In the EU, indicators like energy use, waste management, and recycled content help assess the environmental impact of construction. However, growing waste and emissions, along with a lack of standardised methods, highlight the need for a more holistic approach. This article reviews thirteen EU-proposed indicators for the construction sector, evaluating their relevance to CDW and emphasizing the need for new composite indicators that also consider material use and economic factors. The Integrated Circularity Index for CDW (ICICDW) is introduced as a tool that combines specific indicators from the CDW sector with economic aspects. This integration allows for a comprehensive assessment of circular economy performance within the CDW sector. This approach seeks to address crucial challenges, thereby driving the transition towards a more sustainable model. The implementation of circular economy indicators brings significant benefits, including improved waste management, reduced environmental impact, optimised resources and costs, promotion of the circular economy and compliance with current regulations. In this context, this paper highlights the fundamental importance of developing indicators that integrate various dimensions in order to move effectively towards sustainability and more environmentally friendly construction.