Waste recovered from the construction industry with DÉMOCLÈS
Each year, in France, the construction industry produces 46 million tonnes of waste, the majority of which comes for demolition and refurbishment operations (42 million tonnes). Amongst this waste, it is estimated that 11 million tonnes of non-structural construction waste (non-hazardous non-inert waste) are produced, the current recovery rate of which is estimated at only 30%. Between 200,000 and 300,000 tonnes of WEEE can be found in this construction waste.
DÉMOCLÈS, the collaborative platform co-funded by the ADEME and ecosystem, was born out of this observation. Its purpose is to improve the waste prevention and management of non-structural construction waste from major refurbishment and demolition sites. DÉMOCLÈS unites a large number of partners representative of project owners, project supervisors, works companies, waste management operators and industrials driven by one goal, that of recovering/recycling non-structural construction waste in a circular economy approach rather than disposing of it.
2020 was a successful year for the platform. On 12 March the great DEMOCLES event, took place bringing together more than 300 people to debate about the sustainable management of construction waste. This was an opportunity to launch the “50 model project owners” call for proposals, the purpose being to provide support to project owners to change their practices in regards to the circular economy and the management of waste at major demotion/refurbishment sites.
2020 was also the year that the tool box was published to assist evaluators in increasing their skills in regards to the circular economy and the evaluation of products, materials and waste (PMW). Co-built with around forty other companies (project owners, project supervisors, evaluators and works companies) this contains:
• A best practice guide describing PMW;
• An inventory table giving the standardised reference for construction materials and equipment;
• 20 practical information sheets describing construction materials and equipment and giving recommendations;
• 10 video tutorials showing the evaluator in action in the field and giving practical advice.
