An economic analysis of the processing technologies in CDW recycling platforms

Abstract

This paper proposes an economic analysis of three different types of processing in CDW (construction and demolition waste) recycling platforms, according to the sophistication of the processing technologies (current advanced, advanced and advanced sorting). The methodology that is adopted is in the economic evaluation concept of projects and is classified with a scoping study phase. In these contexts, three levels of CDW processing capabilities for recycling platforms are analyzed (100, 300 and 600 thousand tons per year). This article considers databases obtained from similar projects that have been published in the specialized literature; the data sources are primarily from the European continent. The paper shows that current advanced process has better economic performance, in terms of IRR, related to the other two processes. The IRR associated with advanced and advanced sorting processes could be raised by, (i) higher price of secondary primary material, and/or (ii) higher capacity of platforms, and/or (iii) higher sharing of secondary primary material in the total production. The first two points depend on the market conditions (prices and total quantity of CDW available) and (potential) fiscal or incentive policies. The last one depends on technological progress.

Science mapping approach to assisting the review of construction and demolition waste management research published between 2009 and 2018

“…According to Lu et al (2015), a larger database would be needed to develop the WGR benchmarking. Besides waste generation estimate, other measurements have been considered in evaluating the effectiveness of C&D waste management practice, including cost-efficiency (Lu et al, 2009) or economic performance (Oliveira Neto et al, 2017), environmental impact (Hao and Larney, 2017), or a more comprehensive measurement covering more than one performance indicator (Zanna et al, 2017). The performance measurement for evaluating C&D waste management can be more comprehensive, for example, how practitioners' attitudes have been changed by a management program or incentive policy as indicated by Yuan and Shen (2011).…”

Cost-benefit analysis of the production of ready-mixed high-performance concrete made with recycled concrete aggregate: A case study in Thailand

“…The objective of this analysis is to establish the effect of the main variables to a change in a single unit of the output. The key parameters considered are the composition of RCA, the additional cement required to manufacture RCA, the additional preprocessing cost of RCA, and the transportation distance (Oliveira Neto et al, 2017). According to Oliveira Neto et al (2019), crushed demolition concrete with depleted NA is generated in huge amounts and it should be utilized cost-effectively and in an ecofriendly manner.…”

Study of Possibilities of Using Special Types of Building and Demolition Waste in Civil Engineering

“…A clear environmental benefit is the reduction of energy by-products stockpiling by using them in the manufacture of quality materials that further reduce the need to exploit natural resources. According the study of Neto et al [19], in economic terms, this brings significant savings in storage costs for by-products originators. Concerning the use of construction and demolition waste and energy by-products in civil engineering, it is important to remember, besides the environmental and financial concerns, that the new materials have to meet the technical requirements prescribed by standards or other legal documents.…”