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A model for assessing the economic viability of construction and demolition waste recycling—the case of Ireland

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  • Duran, Xavier
  • Lenihan, Helena
  • O’Regan, Bernadette

Abstract

Construction and demolition waste (C&DW) recycling forms the prime focus of this paper. Drawing on evidence from data collected by the authors in Ireland, the paper develops a model to assess the economic viability of creating markets for recycled C&DW. Currently, most of the waste generated in construction and demolition sites is composed of materials such as concrete, bricks and blocks which are disposed of in landfill sites due to the absence of markets for their recycled forms. The model developed in this paper is based on the potential decisions facing the waste producer and the aggregate user. Once the model is developed and the underlying assumptions outlined and analysed, the paper then proceeds to assess the impact of the imposition of environmental taxes and the use of subsidies on the economics of C&DW recycling. The paper proposes the establishment of three potential Irish recycling centres located in Dublin, Limerick and a mobile centre. Conclusions are presented which suggest that economic viability is likely to occur when the cost of landfilling exceeds the cost of bringing the waste to the recycling centre and the cost of using primary aggregates exceeds the cost of using recycled aggregates. The paper also clearly demonstrates that recycling centres benefit from economies of scale implying that an increase in the scale of a centre, in turn results in a decrease in recycling costs. The overriding conclusion of the paper is that market based instruments are likely to be the best option for policy makers. While the model presented is ‘tested’ on real data derived from surveys with Irish local authorities (responsible for waste management in the Republic of Ireland (ROI)) and aggregate producers, the underlying methodology of the model developed is clear and has a wider international applicability and relevance to the study of C&DW.

Suggested Citation

  • Duran, Xavier & Lenihan, Helena & O’Regan, Bernadette, 2006. "A model for assessing the economic viability of construction and demolition waste recycling—the case of Ireland," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 302-320.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:46:y:2006:i:3:p:302-320
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2005.08.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hanley, Nick & Shogren, Jason & White, Ben, 2013. "Introduction to Environmental Economics," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, edition 2, number 9780199568734.
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    1. Farel, Romain & Yannou, Bernard & Ghaffari, Asma & Leroy, Yann, 2013. "A cost and benefit analysis of future end-of-life vehicle glazing recycling in France: A systematic approach," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 54-65.
    2. Wijayasundara, Mayuri & Mendis, Priyan & Zhang, Lihai & Sofi, Massoud, 2016. "Financial assessment of manufacturing recycled aggregate concrete in ready-mix concrete plants," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 187-201.
    3. Liu, Jingkuang & Li, Yuxuan & Wang, Zhenshuang, 2023. "The potential for carbon reduction in construction waste sorting: A dynamic simulation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    4. Ajayi, Saheed O. & Oyedele, Lukumon O. & Bilal, Muhammad & Akinade, Olugbenga O. & Alaka, Hafiz A. & Owolabi, Hakeem A. & Kadiri, Kabir O., 2015. "Waste effectiveness of the construction industry: Understanding the impediments and requisites for improvements," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 101-112.
    5. Yuan, H.P. & Shen, L.Y. & Hao, Jane J.L. & Lu, W.S., 2011. "A model for cost–benefit analysis of construction and demolition waste management throughout the waste chain," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(6), pages 604-612.
    6. Lu, Weisheng & Yuan, Hongping, 2010. "Exploring critical success factors for waste management in construction projects of China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(2), pages 201-208.
    7. Spoerri, Andy & Lang, Daniel J. & Binder, Claudia R. & Scholz, Roland W., 2009. "Expert-based scenarios for strategic waste and resource management planning—C&D waste recycling in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(10), pages 592-600.
    8. Nehal Elshaboury & Abobakr Al-Sakkaf & Eslam Mohammed Abdelkader & Ghasan Alfalah, 2022. "Construction and Demolition Waste Management Research: A Science Mapping Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-25, April.
    9. Peiyang Su & Ying Peng & Qidan Hu & Ruwen Tan, 2020. "Incentive Mechanism and Subsidy Design for Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling under Information Asymmetry with Reciprocal Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-26, June.
    10. Li, Mei & Yang, Jay, 2014. "Critical factors for waste management in office building retrofit projects in Australia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 85-98.
    11. Savindi Caldera & Tim Ryley & Nikita Zatyko, 2020. "Enablers and Barriers for Creating a Marketplace for Construction and Demolition Waste: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-19, November.
    12. Dongchen Han & Mohsen Kalantari & Abbas Rajabifard, 2021. "Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Australia: A Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-22, November.
    13. Tong Huang & Shicong Kou & Deyou Liu & Dawang Li & Feng Xing, 2022. "Evaluation of the Techno-Economic Feasibility for Excavated Soil Recycling in Shenzhen, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, March.
    14. Valeria Superti & Tim V. Forman & Cynthia Houmani, 2021. "Recycling Thermal Insulation Materials: A Case Study on More Circular Management of Expanded Polystyrene and Stonewool in Switzerland and Research Agenda," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-25, October.
    15. De Melo, Aluísio Braz & Gonçalves, Arlindo F. & Martins, Isabel M., 2011. "Construction and demolition waste generation and management in Lisbon (Portugal)," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(12), pages 1252-1264.
    16. Jianguo Chen & Yangyue Su & Hongyun Si & Jindao Chen, 2018. "Managerial Areas of Construction and Demolition Waste: A Scientometric Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, October.
    17. Knoeri, Christof & Binder, Claudia R. & Althaus, Hans-Joerg, 2011. "Decisions on recycling: Construction stakeholders’ decisions regarding recycled mineral construction materials," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 1039-1050.
    18. Jiménez-Rivero, Ana & García-Navarro, Justo, 2017. "Exploring factors influencing post-consumer gypsum recycling and landfilling in the European Union," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 116-123.
    19. Luara Batalha Vieira & Vito Francioso & Bruna Bueno Mariani & Carlos Moro & Josiane Dantas Viana Barbosa & Larissa da Silva Paes Cardoso & Cleber Marcos Ribeiro Dias & Mirian Velay-Lizancos, 2023. "Valorization of Marble Waste Powder as a Replacement for Limestone in Clinker Production: Technical, Environmental and Economic Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-22, September.
    20. Zhao, W. & Ren, H. & Rotter, V.S., 2011. "A system dynamics model for evaluating the alternative of type in construction and demolition waste recycling center – The case of Chongqing, China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(11), pages 933-944.
    21. Zhao, W. & Leeftink, R.B. & Rotter, V.S., 2010. "Evaluation of the economic feasibility for the recycling of construction and demolition waste in China—The case of Chongqing," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(6), pages 377-389.
    22. Liu, Haiyue & Wang, Yile & Shi, Xiaoshuang & Pang, Lina, 2022. "How do environmental policies affect capital market reactions? Evidence from China's construction waste treatment policy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).

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