Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Croatia With Recycling Overview

Abstract

Construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) is one of the most relevant waste types primarily due to large quantities and a high potential for re-use and recycle. This paper discusses the issues related to C&D waste management in the Republic of Croatia. It presents the overview of legislative changes and its impact on the C&D waste management in Croatia. C&D waste quantities per county in the period from 2001 to 2015 are given as well as the expected C&D waste quantities in the future. It is concluded that the legal framework is well established, but it is not implemented consistently. Therefore, it is necessary to plan certain activities and additional resources in order to make the C&D waste management more efficient. The paper also presents the options of C&D waste recycling and describes the recycling technology in a C&D waste recycling plant in the Republic of Croatia. Taking into account the relatively low price of recycled aggregate, long distance transport is not profitable. It is concluded that the use of mobile treatment facilities would be a good practical solution taking into account the underdeveloped infrastructure for C&D waste management.

Construction and Demolition Waste in Romania: The Route from Illegal Dumping to Building Materials

“…In fact, the ratio of C&DW fraction is below 4% in seventeen counties, most of them located in the center and southern part of Romania. The same poor registered quantities of C&D waste at the county level are found in Croatia, particularly in less developed areas [14]. Figure 3 suggests that monitoring process of C&DW flows is limited in these areas which could increase the risks associated to illegal waste disposal practices and the prevalence of stage I.…”

“…Construction waste collection and transport is costly and it is often collected as mixed waste or is deposited in illegal dumping sites [13]. Uncontrolled waste disposal is still an environmental threat to be solved in Croatia [14] and in other European regions, there is a significant amount of illegal dumping combined with a heterogeneous market for secondary materials that may not be reflected in official statistics [5].…”

“…Similar separate collection facilities for C&DW are initiated in Poland cities [28]. On the other hand, Zagreb city has the sole stationary treatment facility; while in the other parts of Croatia recycling is carried out in mobile processing plants [14].…”

“…Romania has access to cheap natural aggregates and such initiative is difficult to implement. Waste disposal costs and the difference in the price of recycled and natural aggregates could play as key factors to the success of C&DW recycling practices among the new EU Member States [14].…”

“…On-site recovery and recycling practices using a mobile crushing facility could be an optimal solution for construction companies. Mobile treatment facilities seem to be the best option for solving the C&D waste management issues in Croatia [14]. Case studies from Ireland reveal the need for co-operative collaborative contractual arrangements to facilitate early involvement of project stakeholders and setting waste performance targets for the main constructor and subcontractors [55].…”