On 6 November, the European Recycling Industries Confederation (EuRIC) organized an event exploring the practical aspects of “Implementing EU legislation: How to increase circularity in the construction sector” at the Ecomondo expo center in Rimini, Italy. The event highlighted the untapped circularity potential to transform the construction sector, including through implementation of the EU regulatory framework.
EBC President Philip van Nieuwenhuizen was invited to participate in a panel of experts discussing the topic “Selective demolition and the new recovery targets for the different C&D waste streams”, along with Karolina D’Cunha – Deputy Head of Unit at DG Environment of the European Commission, Carol Barcella – expert from the European Demolition Association (EDA), Francesco Onori – CEO of Cavart SpA, and Giorgio Bressi – Vice-President of EuRIC’s Construction & Demolition Branch (ECDB).
During her keynote introduction, Ms. D’Cunha opened the floor by discussing potential tools to decarbonize industry and increasing recycling under the EU Circular Economy Act, including Eco-design, EPR schemes, selective demolition, REACH status, End-Of-Waste criteria, Environmental Product Declarations, Green Public Procurement, taxation and recycled content.
Following up, Mr. van Nieuwenhuizen confirmed on behalf of EBC that there are many opportunities to enhance circularity in construction. The main challenge is to avoid leaving craftsmen, medium, small and very small contractors behind. He noted that as they represent 99,6% of construction companies and over 60% of the production volume, their involvement and commitment should be ensured to make it work for the entire value chain. Their engagement can be obtained by avoiding extra administrative burden or product costs and by facilitating regional hubs and deposits. Special attention should be paid to the risk that extra costs of reused or recycled products discourage homeowners in their energy and sustainability renovation plans, which in turn would backfire on SMEs and even on the energy renovation and decarbonization ambition. Furthermore, tools including positive incentives, such as VAT exoneration for reused and partial exemption for recycled construction materials and products, should be at the heart of this equation. As a final remark, the EBC President noted that standardization has a key role to play in incentivizing increased uptake of recycled and reused materials in construction.
EBC will continue to engage and work closely with all relevant stakeholders, committed to a more circular and sustainable construction sector.
