C&D Waste as a resource Applying circular economy principles to the construction sector

WasteMINZ Conference 2019

26th September 2019

Chris Purchas & Anna Ainsworth

Contents

• Context

• Our approach

• Drivers

• Issues and opportunities

• Overview

Context

• Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a challenge across New Zealand

• Lack of good data nationally for C&D waste

• Data suggests a high proportion of landfilled waste is C&D

Context continued...

Wellington region – est. 570,000 TPA of C&D waste sent to landfill

Auckland – est. 500-600,000TPA sent to landfill

(ECNZ, AC Programme Director)

Represents est. 50% of all waste generated in NZ

Est 20% of all waste to landfill

Est 80% of all waste to managed fills and cleanfill(REBRI)

Our approach

Where are we now?

• Current approach to managing C&D waste

• Estimated materials quantity and characteristics

What does the future look like?

• Projected future quantity of materials

• Likely materials characteristics

What could we do

differently?

• Understand and address data gaps

• Chase opportunities

• Address challenges and issues

What are we talking about here?

• Buildings

• A hierarchy of optionso Reuse (on site or re-locate)

o Recover components

o Recovery materials

o Recover for energy or other ‘lower value use

What are the drivers for ‘diverters’

• Cost

• Timeline

• Reputation/Community expectation

• Health & Safety

• Jobs

What are the drivers for ‘reusers’

• Cost

• Aesthetics

• Standards/performance

• Reputation (e.g. Greenstar, ISCA)

Issues and opportunities

• Mindset

• Capability for processing materials

• Capacity to process materials

• Local solutions

• Building an ecosystem …

Mindset

• Lowest cost vs. maximum value

• Managing risk vs. taking opportunitieso Building product standards

o Conventional vs innovative products

• Public sector procurement

• Invite entrepreneurs

Capability and capacity

• Capability – the ability to deliver

o The right skills

o The right people

o The equipment to safely and effectively delivery services

• Capacity – to manage the quantity of materials

o The right number of people, plant and equipment

o Space for processing and storage

Local solutions

• Disposal

o Location

o Standards

• Materialso Local availability e.g. quarry locations, material re-processors

o Local regulators/specifiers e.g. road base materials

Creating an ecosystem

• Everyone has a role to play

Creating an ecosystem

• Everyone has a role to play

• A break can occur anywhere

Creating an ecosystem

• Everyone has a role to play

• A break can occur anywhere

• Integrated approacho Mindset

o Capability and capacity

o Local solutions

Case study – Piritahi

• 7,000: 1950 – 80’s homes to 25,000 modern homes

• 5 precincts across Aucklando Mt Roskill, Oranga, Mangere,

Northcote

• (Commercial) alliance to clear properties for home constructiono Commercial vs social and broader economic outcomes

o Timeline pressures

o Market risk

Dumpster diving at scale

Case study – Commercial building

• Earthquake damageo Insurance

o Risk of entry (H&S)

• Future commercial developmento Cost

o Timeline

Integrated approach – our ideas

• Share stories, knowledge and lessons learnt

• Build capability and capacityo Leverage public sector projects.

o Make use of public assets (space)

• Circular from the ground up – procurement, design, construction, …

• Get the framework righto Bylaws (data, project requirements)

o Building Regulation – appropriate use of recovered materials

o Disposal and processing – appropriate controls including monitoring and enforcement