Europe’s building industry generates a significant amount of waste, with construction and demolition waste (CDW) accounting for 40% of all waste in the EU. 

A two-day meeting with 65 participants from the European Commission and EU-funded projects explored solutions to reduce, reuse, and recycle building waste. 

Projects presented include LIFE WASTE2BUILD (a digital marketplace for recycled materials), LIFE CIRRCON (reinforced concrete from demolition waste), LIFE ECO TILES (terrazzo tiles from recycled urban glass and ceramic), CIRCWASTE (circular economy in Finland), and I-LOOP LIFE (recycling glass wool for insulation). 

The event emphasised the importance of collaboration across various sectors, calling on construction companies, architects, consumers, and policymakers to take joint responsibility in promoting sustainable practices.

It also highlighted the importance of aligning these efforts with EU sustainability strategies, such as the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Green Deal, and other climate-related goals, to drive long-term environmental change in the construction sector.