Legislative Framework for the Management of Construction and Demolition Waste

The European Union's waste framework directive (2008/98/EC) proposed that by 2020 the recycling of non-hazardous CDW should be at least 70% of its weight [23,60]. In Taiwan, CDW must be transported to waste processing facilities [61], while in China and Hong Kong, regulations have been created to encourage the use of recycled construction materials in foundation works and roads, among other areas. In Australia, some policies promote the reuse of CDW at the construction site and the implementation of sustainable construction practices. In the United States, there are laws that specify the use of recycled materials in several infrastructure applications [62]. Hong Kong, regulations have been created to encourage the use of recycled construction materials in foundation works and roads, among other areas. In Australia, some policies promote the reuse of CDW at the construction site and the implementation of sustainable construction practices. In the United States, there are laws that specify the use of recycled

bile plants to maximize the production of high-quality recycled material.

Legislative Framework for the Management of Construction and Demolition Waste

The European Union's waste framework directive (2008/98/EC) proposed that by 2020 the recycling of non-hazardous CDW should be at least 70% of its weight [23,60]. In Taiwan, CDW must be transported to waste processing facilities [61], while in China and

*Sustainability* **2022**, *14*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 15 of 20

ural Resources regulates the operation of landfills [56].

Construction and Demolition Waste Management

3.5.2. CDW in the World

coherent national policy for the management of CDW, companies who generate it are responsible for its disposal. The legislation issued by the Ministry of Environment and Nat-

Around the world, CDW policies and legislation adopt the 3R or 4R waste minimization system, i.e., reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover [57,58]. This system focuses on four categories: strategies for the management of construction and demolition waste, prevention techniques, and collection, reuse, and recovery practices [59]. The first category includes planning for the management of CDW, taking into account all the areas involved in the construction process. The CDW is identified and quantified in order to decide what treatments are necessary for its separation and recycling. Economic tools that encourage waste management systems and maximize the environmental performance of waste are also taken into account. For prevention and collection, a construction life-cycle study is carried out in the design phase, which demonstrates opportunities for the use of prefabricated and recycled materials and modern construction methods. In addition, success in managing CDW is achieved via adequate logistics and innovation in the practices of handling and storage of the materials. Recovery practices are used in both stationary and mo-

### 3.5.3. Comparison of CDW in Colombia and Other Countries materials in several infrastructure applications [62].

Figure 11 shows the amount of waste generated in 2012 in millions of tons for several countries, among which is Colombia. In this graph, the main generator of construction and demolition waste is China, with 1.02 billion tons, followed by India with 530 million, the United States with 519 million, France with 246.7 million, and Germany with 201.3 million [63]. Colombia ranks 12th with 24.45 million tons of CDW. 3.5.3. Comparison of CDW in Colombia and Other Countries Figure 11 shows the amount of waste generated in 2012 in millions of tons for several countries, among which is Colombia. In this graph, the main generator of construction and demolition waste is China, with 1.02 billion tons, followed by India with 530 million, the United States with 519 million, France with 246.7 million, and Germany with 201.3 million [63]. Colombia ranks 12th with 24.45 million tons of CDW.

**Figure 11.** Amount (millions of tons) of CDW generated around the world in the year 2012. **Figure 11.** Amount (millions of tons) of CDW generated around the world in the year 2012.

Figure 12 summarizes the CDW generated and the gross domestic product (GDP) from construction for several countries. On average, 400 tons of CDW are generated per 1 million USD of GDP from construction [22]. Taking this into account, countries such as Colombia, Hong Kong, the United States, and China generate more waste than the average, although Colombia is above these countries with 1,697,141 per 1 million USD of GDP from construction. This is because in Colombia, CDW management is inefficient. In contrast, countries like Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Poland, and Portugal are well below the average, generating less than 100 tons per million USD GDP. *Sustainability* **2022**, *14*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 16 of 20 Figure 12 summarizes the CDW generated and the gross domestic product (GDP) from construction for several countries. On average, 400 tons of CDW are generated per 1 million USD of GDP from construction [22]. Taking this into account, countries such as Colombia, Hong Kong, the United States, and China generate more waste than the average, although Colombia is above these countries with 1,697,141 per 1 million USD of GDP from construction. This is because in Colombia, CDW management is inefficient. In contrast, countries like Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Poland, and Portugal are well below the average, generating less than 100 tons per million USD GDP.

**Figure 12.** Comparison of CDW and GDP of various countries in 2014. **Figure 12.** Comparison of CDW and GDP of various countries in 2014.

• The information available on the management of construction and demolition waste

• From the case study, the X-ray diffraction results agree with the information found on the composition of CDW in Colombia, where 62% of the residue is made up of brick, concrete, and ceramic. Subsequently, comparing the composition of CDW in Colombia with that of other countries, little similarity was found in composition. This is because the structures and construction materials used in different countries vary from country to country due to the different construction materials, motivated by

that the method used for the quantification of CDW was correct. In addition, when comparing the results of the different factors used for quantification, it was found

that Factor 1 best fits with the government data.

variations in climates, cultures, and types of construction.

**4. Conclusions** 
