Abstract
In Europe, increased use of gypsum plasterboard began in 1960s – 1970s, especially growing popularity since the mid-1980s. A large proportion of gypsum waste is being landfilled and backfilled worldwide, including building plaster, gypsum blocks and plasterboard, being the later the most common recyclable gypsum waste generated in Europe. Considering a reference service life of 50 years, most of the buildings being currently renovated or demolished contain very few or inexistent plasterboard. However, in the coming years, the quantities of plasterboard waste are expected to substantially increase, and becoming a forthcoming issue. This investigation presents the work conducted to develop an inventory of best practices towards an efficient gypsum recycling value chain, within the framework of the Life+ GtoG project. The study is based on three pillars: the crucial factors for the effectiveness of the recycling route, relevant results from the monitoring of a set of European pilot projects, and conclusions regarding the life cycle effects on energy use and carbon emissions of the gypsum plasterboard recycling. These best practices would not only help to minimize the Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste sent to landfills, but also to mitigate primary mineral resource depletion.
Author Information
Ana Jiménez-Rivero, Technical University of Madrid, Spain
Ana de Guzmán-Báez, Technical University of Madrid, Spain
Marta Rodríguez-Quijano, Technical University of Madrid, Spain
Justo García-Navarro, Technical University of Madrid, Spain
Paper Information
Conference: ECSEE2015
Stream: Environmental Sustainability & Human Consumption: Waste
This paper is part of the ECSEE2015 Conference Proceedings (View)
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