processing of excavation, construction & demolition waste (ECDW)

FINOBETON S.A. participates in the alternative management system of Excavation, Construction and Demolition Waste (ECDW). The new approved non-hazardous ECDW processing plant of the company and the site of deposition of aggregates and residues from the processing of ECDW are located in Chordaki, Chania.

The institution of alternative excavation, construction and demolition waste management aims at the prevention and reducton of the impact on the environment and human health from the uncontrolled dumping of excavated and demolished waste, as well as, at the exploitation and reusability of the recycled materials with the ultimate goal of redirecting them back to the construction market.

ECDW has been recognized by the European Union as a priority management waste stream. It consists of materials such as concrete, iron, bricks, gypsum, wood, glass, metal, plastic, asbestos and soil, which are materials that can be recycled. It arises from activities such as the construction and total or partial demolition of buildings and civil infrastructure, renovations of buildings or apartments, as well as, the construction and maintenance of roads.

There is a high potential for the recycling and reusing of ECDW, as some of these materials are of great value. In particular, there is a new market for the use of aggregates from ECDW for various construction projects. Furthermore, the technology of sorting and recovering ECDW is well established, easily accessible and generally of low cost.

WASTE COVERED BY ECDW LEGISLATION
1. Waste from excavation, construction and demolition of private and public works.
2. Solid waste resulting from the cutting of marbles.
3. Waste from excess concrete.

EXCLUDED
1. ECDW designated as hazardous (article 2 of the CMC 13588/725/20060).
2. ECDW from industrial and other areas polluted with hazardous substances.
3. Waste from mining, processing, etc. of mining resources, industrial minerals, quarry products.
4. Soil and other natural materials which are going to be used unprocessed in the site where the excavation took place.

STATISTICAL DATA

• Excavation, construction and demolition waste is one of the most heavy and bulky waste produced in the European Union. It represents about 25-30% of the total waste generated in the EU.
• In Greece, the amount of waste derived from various construction and demolition projects is estimated to 6-7 million tons per year.
• The level of recycling and reuse of waste varies greatly across the EU from less than 10% to over 90%.