The LIFE Programme Networking Meeting held online on October 15-16, 2024, focused on addressing the challenges in managing Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW). This online event gathered various EU-funded projects, industry experts, and policymakers to share insights and discuss solutions for reducing, reusing, and recycling waste in the construction industry.
The two-day meeting featured various project presentations, with Reincarnate being one of several initiatives showcased on the first day. Samaneh Rezvani, Head of the Research Unit at DEMO Consultants, presented Reincarnate’s innovative approaches for extending the life cycle of buildings, building components and construction materials as well as innovative solutions for reuse and recycling..
These approaches include:
- BIM-based applications for tracking and managing reusable materials and facilitating the decision-making process.
- AI-driven optimization to create new material recipes that promote sustainability.
- Automated disassembly systems to simplify the reuse of construction components.
- Ontology development to classify and structure the primary concepts and terminologies among different stakeholders.
These solutions aim to enhance material reuse and promote circularity in the construction sector, helping to minimize waste and contribute to more sustainable building processes.
On the second day of discussions, key barriers to CDW reuse were highlighted, including technical constraints, regulatory challenges, and cost issues around recycled materials. To address these issues, discussions explored solutions like emerging technologies, quality certification, and traceability systems. Additionally, practical examples were shared, such as innovative sorting technologies, the use of CDW in new building materials, and frameworks like Level(s) to encourage lifecycle thinking. Other proposed measures included public support for CDW storage, deposit-refund systems, and servitization models to extend material use.
Reincarnate’s participation in the LIFE Programme Networking Meeting reflects its commitment to advancing circular economy practices in the construction industry. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and collaborating with other projects, Reincarnate is working to reduce waste and create a more sustainable future for construction.