Återbruk av byggavfall som byggmaterial: Utmaningar och möjligheter för återbruk, med fokus på ekonomiska, miljömässiga och tekniska aspekter
2024 (Swedish)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Purpose: The purpose is to analyze the current recycling process within the construction and demolition industry in Sweden. The study examines the potential for increasing reuse and recycling of various waste materials, considering environmental, technical, and economic perspectives. Method: The method includes literature study, interviews, and case study. The literature study identified Sweden's regulations regarding reuse, the reuse possibilities of building materials and the demolition process. Interviews with four different construction companies were conducted. Two case studies were analyzed to assess the potential economic and environmental benefits of increased reuse and recycling. Results: The results of the literature review and interviews identified financial challenges and opportunities for reuse, including lack of incentives, transport and storage difficulties, and time constraints. The possibilities consist of government initiatives, faster handling of recycled materials, smart inventory before demolition and circular economy. Technical considerations include quality and warranty assurance, risk of contamination and CE-brand of recycled materials. Environmentally, recycling reduces emissions from the manufacture of new building materials, demolition waste and contributes to climate savings despite transport and storage. Concrete, wood, gypsum, and mineral wool have great reuse potential, and if reuse is not possible, there are recycling options. The first object showed a financial saving of 217 641 SEK and a carbon dioxide saving of 8 402 kg CO2-eq. The second object showed a financial saving of 503 880 SEK and a carbon dioxide saving of 5,94 tons CO2-eq. Conclusions: The construction industry needs to intensify its focus on recycling and reuse to achieve both economic and environmental benefits. While using new materials is often cheaper and more time-efficient, facing challenges, such as financial costs and time demands, hinder the reuse and recycling of building materials. To overcome these challenges, detailed technical inspections should be conducted on individual assessment. There are substantial opportunities to enhance the reuse and recycling of materials, but a stronger practical commitment from the industry is essential. According to the two studies implementing strategies that prioritize reuse can lead to considerable economic savings and environmental gains.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2024. , p. 74
Keywords [en]
Reuse, recycling, dismantling, concrete, wood, gypsum, mineral wool, circular economy
Keywords [sv]
Återanvändning, återvinning, demontering, betong, trä, gips, mineralull, cirkulär ekonomi
National Category
Civil Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-69161OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mdh-69161DiVA, id: diva2:1914240
Subject / course
Building Engineering
Supervisors
Examiners
2024-11-202024-11-182024-11-20Bibliographically approved