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Recycling construction waste: the challenges and opportunitiesThe construction sector generates an estimated 240 million tonnes of waste each year in France, which makes it by far the biggest generator of waste compared with household waste, which totals about 30 million tonnes. In the Île-de-France region alone, building the Grand Paris Express metro is expected to produce 47 million tonnes of waste over a decade, equivalent to between 10% and 20% of the region’s waste each year. Recycling the materials used in construction not only has environmental benefits, but can also be financially rewarding, says Adeline de Snoeck, owner of a study group that has created circular products using salvaged materials. Recycling of materials avoids the need to transport wastes long distances, saving money as well as reducing emissions.Yprema, which has its headquarters in Chennevières-sur-Marne, Val-de-Marne, was one of the first companies in France to recycle building materials. The firm, set up in 1989, specialises in the recovery and crushing of construction materials and has developed professional waste-recycling centres where businesses can dispose of their waste. However, finding sites for recycling centres can be difficult due to competition for land with green spaces. Yprema typically opens a new centre every five years but needs at least 3,000-5,000 sq metres of land, rising to 10,000 and 20,000 sq metres for transit and recycling centres respectively.Cement company Cemex, based in Rungis, estimates that it supplies granulate production and quarry sites close to the Seine and the river helps to evacuate waste, reducing lorry emissions. The concrete manufacturer also produces recycled concrete from output from its own factories and has developed an Afnor NF certification in France. The challenge for cement manufacturers is to provide more robust recycled concrete that is suitable for use in constructing new buildings. To this end, Swiss cement firm Holcim, a subsidiary of the Lafarge group, has developed a 100% recycled material, Clinker, and earlier this year announced the construction of the first homes made entirely from recycled materials.

Recycling construction waste: the challenges and opportunitiesThe construction sector generates an estimated 240 million tonnes of waste each year in France, which makes it by far the biggest generator of waste compared with household waste, which totals about 30 million tonnes. In the Île-de-France region alone, building the Grand Paris Express metro is expected to produce 47 million tonnes of waste over a decade, equivalent to between 10% and 20% of the region’s waste each year. Recycling the materials used in construction not only has environmental benefits, but can also be financially rewarding, says Adeline de Snoeck, owner of a study group that has created circular products using salvaged materials. Recycling of materials avoids the need to transport wastes long distances, saving money as well as reducing emissions.Yprema, which has its headquarters in Chennevières-sur-Marne, Val-de-Marne, was one of the first companies in France to recycle building materials. The firm, set up in 1989, specialises in the recovery and crushing of construction materials and has developed professional waste-recycling centres where businesses can dispose of their waste. However, finding sites for recycling centres can be difficult due to competition for land with green spaces. Yprema typically opens a new centre every five years but needs at least 3,000-5,000 sq metres of land, rising to 10,000 and 20,000 sq metres for transit and recycling centres respectively.Cement company Cemex, based in Rungis, estimates that it supplies granulate production and quarry sites close to the Seine and the river helps to evacuate waste, reducing lorry emissions. The concrete manufacturer also produces recycled concrete from output from its own factories and has developed an Afnor NF certification in France. The challenge for cement manufacturers is to provide more robust recycled concrete that is suitable for use in constructing new buildings. To this end, Swiss cement firm Holcim, a subsidiary of the Lafarge group, has developed a 100% recycled material, Clinker, and earlier this year announced the construction of the first homes made entirely from recycled materials.