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Recycling concepts and the index of recyclability for building materials

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  • Vefago, Luiz H. Maccarini
  • Avellaneda, Jaume

Abstract

It is well known that reserves of non-renewable resources are limited and that waste emitted into the air, soil and earth pollute the environment. In addition to proposing a change in the architects’ way of thinking, the climate change further requires an improvement in the environment, politics and social consciousness. The chase for sustainable architecture must also consider the end of the life cycles of materials. The aim of this work is to introduce new concepts regarding materials and building elements that reach the end of their first life cycle and to evaluate the potential for recyclability of those materials. The research method is based on a hierarchic upside down pyramid that gives priority to the reuse and recycling of materials and afterwards allows for the creation of recyclability levels of the materials and elements. The results show that the concepts created regarding recycled, infracycled, reused and infraused materials are more suitable to the current situation. The indexes of recyclability quantify the betterment of the environment in the construction processes of buildings that are made from recycled or recyclable materials. In this manner, recyclability allows changing the way architects design and construct buildings, and it is a step forward to the closed-loop material cycle.

Suggested Citation

  • Vefago, Luiz H. Maccarini & Avellaneda, Jaume, 2013. "Recycling concepts and the index of recyclability for building materials," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 127-135.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:72:y:2013:i:c:p:127-135
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2012.12.015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dodoo, Ambrose & Gustavsson, Leif & Sathre, Roger, 2010. "Life cycle primary energy implication of retrofitting a wood-framed apartment building to passive house standard," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(12), pages 1152-1160.
    2. Weber, Céline & Koyama, Michihisa & Kraines, Steven, 2006. "CO2-emissions reduction potential and costs of a decentralized energy system for providing electricity, cooling and heating in an office-building in Tokyo," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(14), pages 3041-3061.
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    Cited by:

    1. Doussoulin, Jean Pierre & Bittencourt, Mariana, 2022. "How effective is the construction sector in promoting the circular economy in Brazil and France? : A waste input-output analysis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 47-58.
    2. Rabbat, Christelle & Awad, Sary & Villot, Audrey & Rollet, Delphine & Andrès, Yves, 2022. "Sustainability of biomass-based insulation materials in buildings: Current status in France, end-of-life projections and energy recovery potentials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    3. Tang, Xu & Li, Chunyan & Hu, Shiyuan & Liu, Yaolin & Geng, Hong, 2016. "Evaluating extended land consumption in building life cycle to improve land conservation: A case study in Shenyang, China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 78-89.
    4. Lotfi, Somayeh & Deja, Jan & Rem, Peter & Mróz, Radosław & van Roekel, Eric & van der Stelt, Hans, 2014. "Mechanical recycling of EOL concrete into high-grade aggregates," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 117-125.

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