How different is the waste produced in construction, renovation, and demolition?
Demolition wastes are those residues obtained as the result of the disassembly, dismantling, and demolition operations of any construction. Some of the main waste obtained in demolition are:
- Aggregates
- Concrete
- Ceramic and masonry
- Wood
- Metals, especially steel
- Glasses
- Plastics and artificial insulation
- Others: Gypsum, lime, mixed residues, etc.
To achieve good results in recycling demolition waste, it is necessary to carry out the following actions:
- Inventory of waste, setting its quantities and destination
- Use of proper demolition techniques to be able to separate the contaminated components as well as those intended for reuse or recycling
- Avoid mixing of already separated fractions in the demolition zone
- Use of suitable machinery
For their part, construction wastes are the products that originated from the execution of construction works done to create a new construction. Some of the most common wastes that are generated in a new construction site are:
- Remains of mortars, coatings, and others
- Remains of gravel and sand
- Formwork woods
- Steel
- Waste from containers, pallets, plastics, cardboard, etc.
In addition, there are other types of waste related to the previous two, which are the ones generated in renovation works (structural or cosmetic). They are characterized by the fact that the generated wastes are a mixture of very heterogeneous materials, with an abundance of ceramics and plasters, but also including wood, iron, metal, containers, and even furniture and furnishings.
As it can be seen, construction, demolition, and renovation wastes are different but with a lot of similarities. The table below compares the quantities generated in each type of works of the most common groups of waste:
| Type | Demolition | New construction | Renovation |
| Bricks and concrete | 85% | 59% | 59% |
| Non-combustible materials | 1% | 22% | 20% |
| Wood | 13% | 13% | 20% |
| Combustible materials | 6% | 6% | 1% |
Links:
Access the full guide here:
Help us grow!
If you have any suggestions about these contents, find any error or would like to make us aware of anything, please fill out the form below.
