Improving the sustainability assessment method SBTool Urban: a critical review of construction and demolition waste (CDW) indicator

Abstract

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) are one of the biggest issues in waste generation that cities must deal. In EU, about 25% to 30% of all waste are derived from activities linked to construction and demolition. Such materials like concrete, bricks, wood, glass, metals, plastic and others, have high potential to be recycled or even reused in the process of urbanization. According to the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), by the year of 2020, a minimum of 70% (by weight) of CDW must be prepared for reuse, recycled or undergo other material recovery. Additionally, in Portugal, there is the Decree-Law nº 46/2008 that regulates the operations of CDW management, by prevention and re-utilization, and the process of collection, transport, storage, treatment, recovery, and disposal. Despite this, the level of CDW reuse varies greatly across the country. The SBTool-PT Urban Planning is an adaptation of the SBTool - international method of sustainability assessment - for use in urban projects into the Portuguese context. The methodology is divided into 3 dimensions (environmental, social and economic), each of then subdivided into categories (14 total) that have their own indicators. One of these indicators is called CDW, and it is related to how much of it is re-used and how it is treated. This study focuses on this indicator, reviewing his process of measurement and calculation, by comparing it with the existing rules, and others assessment methodologies. The findings of this study will validate its calculation process and indicate future developments.