La gestione dei rifiuti edili in Europa: stato dell’arte e prospettive future

The construction sector accounts for more than one-third of all waste generated in Europe related to demolition, construction, and reconstruction activities (phases that include urban planning and development work). In terms of volume produced, construction and demolition (C&D) waste is among the largest sources of waste in Europe. Although much of it is recyclable or reusable, reuse and recycling rates vary widely among member countries within the European Union. Moreover, the building sector itself is strategic to the energy-environmental performance of buildings and infrastructure throughout their life cycle. Given the long lifespan of buildings, it is essential to encourage better design with the aim of reducing their environmental impact while improving their durability and the recyclability of their components. Therefore, waste management becomes a key element of circular construction, as it allows for the recovery, recycling, and reuse of those waste materials from the construction process due to C&D phases, putting them back into the product supply chain, thus avoiding the extraction of new resources. This paper aims to define the state of the art of this sector in Europe, outlining its current regulatory apparatus and its application in an experimental case study.