New JRC Study Validates Glass for Europe’s Policy Proposals for Efficient Construction and Demolition Waste Management.
In a pivotal move for the glass and glazing industry, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has recently released a comprehensive study on Techno-economic and environmental assessment of construction and demolition waste (CDW) management in the EU. The study, which underlines the significance of Glass for Europe’s policy recommendations, highlights that CDW constitutes almost 40% of the waste generated in the EU. Within this, flat glass, originating from windows, glass doors, and curtain walls, accounts for 0.2% of the total CDW but plays a crucial role in building decarbonization and energy-efficient design.
The analysis explores various waste management options, emphasizing selective demolition and design-for-deconstruction as key strategies for closed-loop recycling, with a focus on flat glass. According to the JRC’s life cycle assessment and costing, processes involving material-specific preparing for reuse and advanced recycling demonstrate superior greenhouse gas (GHG) savings and environmental performance compared to incineration and landfilling. The study advocates for recycling as the primary solution, emphasizing the potential of flat glass recycling, which, from a technological standpoint, can achieve a remarkable 100% recycling potential.
Additionally, the study confirms that recycled flat glass, or cullet, requires less heat to melt compared to virgin raw materials, resulting in substantial primary energy savings. The JRC’s scenario of maximizing the recycling potential of flat glass underscores significant GHG emissions savings. Glass for Europe’s stance on the importance of recycling flat glass aligns seamlessly with the JRC’s findings, emphasizing that recycling is the most beneficial end-of-life option for building glass and glazing.
To fully tap into the remaining flat glass recycling potential, Glass for Europe calls for the establishment of a closed-loop model, advocating for the use of flat glass to manufacture new flat glass. This approach ensures the availability of high-quality recycled content in an economically viable manner. However, legislative support is crucial for the successful implementation of such a model. Glass for Europe urges a ban on landfilling waste building glass from construction and demolition projects and seeks to strengthen the glass provisions within the Landfill Directive.
EU legislation, according to Glass for Europe, should define targets for C&D glass waste, establish rules on dismantling windows and glazing, and mandate pre-demolition audits. This holistic approach aims to optimize waste recovery, incentivize sorting operations, and avoid contamination. Glass for Europe anticipates that the JRC’s study will influence future EU legislation, particularly after the European elections, and looks forward to contributing relevant information and data to further enhance sustainable CDW management policies.
Source: Glass for Europe with additional information added by GlassBalkan
