Safety reprocessing of construction and demolition waste
Ranasinghe Arachchige, Darshani (2025)
Diplomityö
2025
School of Energy Systems, Konetekniikka
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025021311791
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025021311791
Tiivistelmä
Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is the largest waste stream in the Europe and it takes 37.5% of total waste generation. In Europe and Finland, highest CDW fraction is mineral (concrete, masonry etc.) while composition consists of mineral, wood, metal, glass, plastic and mix waste. EU waste framework directive sets targets to recycle and recover 70% of CDW by 2020, while Finland meets 63%. When driving EU member states to achieve the utilization target, safety of handling and reprocessing waste should be ensured.
This study identifies, Asbestos, PAHs, Creosotes, PCB, BFR, Phthalates, CFC, Phenols and BPA, heavy metals, Nanoparticles, Mineral oils, Radioactive substances and harmful gases as the most prominent substances / compounds in CDW, which may cause adverse impacts to human health and to the environment. During this study, recycled concrete specimens and plastic specimens were manufactured from CDW fractions by casting and injection moulding respectively. Recycled samples were tested for M1 emission classification of building materials and analysed the elutes for heavy metals. TVOC, VOC, CMR, Formaldehyde, Ammonia and Sensory parameters were tested through M1 classification testing. Concrete samples made from recycled CDW emitted 18 µg/m3 Ammonia which is well above the limit while plastic samples comply with the requirements. Compressive strength of recycled concrete test specimens achieved 13.7 MPa where the values is lower than the requirement while recycled plastic samples achieved 14.7 MPa Tensile strength. This value can be considered as acceptable for a mix of polymers but it is recommended to reassess the performances of recycled product according to the specific application.
Emission results of concrete specimens highlight the importance of considering volatile emissions in CDW from generation, till use of recycled products and implementing proper system to regulate them to minimize the exposure assuring work safety of people who involve in all levels of CDW reprocessing activities.
This study identifies, Asbestos, PAHs, Creosotes, PCB, BFR, Phthalates, CFC, Phenols and BPA, heavy metals, Nanoparticles, Mineral oils, Radioactive substances and harmful gases as the most prominent substances / compounds in CDW, which may cause adverse impacts to human health and to the environment. During this study, recycled concrete specimens and plastic specimens were manufactured from CDW fractions by casting and injection moulding respectively. Recycled samples were tested for M1 emission classification of building materials and analysed the elutes for heavy metals. TVOC, VOC, CMR, Formaldehyde, Ammonia and Sensory parameters were tested through M1 classification testing. Concrete samples made from recycled CDW emitted 18 µg/m3 Ammonia which is well above the limit while plastic samples comply with the requirements. Compressive strength of recycled concrete test specimens achieved 13.7 MPa where the values is lower than the requirement while recycled plastic samples achieved 14.7 MPa Tensile strength. This value can be considered as acceptable for a mix of polymers but it is recommended to reassess the performances of recycled product according to the specific application.
Emission results of concrete specimens highlight the importance of considering volatile emissions in CDW from generation, till use of recycled products and implementing proper system to regulate them to minimize the exposure assuring work safety of people who involve in all levels of CDW reprocessing activities.