AN OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT AND CHALLENGES OF RECYCLING OF CONCRETE

Abstract

This paper consists of an overview over the development of recycling of concrete and the use of concrete with
recycled materials. The overview and strategic management of demolition waste is often missing when handling concrete
demolition waste. The demolition, processing and recycling of the materials are often analyse d separately. "High
quality" recycling of concrete waste does not always correspond to production/use of the product with the highest value,
but rather the most feasible product in a specific project or region. It is by analysing the whole disposal/ supply -chain
including the substituted material, that best effects of recycling can be achieved. Demolition is most often the first, and
not the last phase of a building’s life. There is almost always a building where a new one is to be built.
Environmental issues are a growing concern in the world. There are a number of ways to include environmental
issues when planning demolition and recycling activities. Overviews of methods for environmental evaluations as well as
economical considerations are presented in the paper. The market for recycled materials in the world is commented, and
integrated demolition and waste management in Kosovo and an analysis of the potential market in Hong Kong are
presented as examples. Current challenges in the industry are how to control and handle polluted material. These issues
will be discussed from a practical point of view. Moreover some aspects to consider with respect to future demolition
when producing new concrete products are presented.