RREUSE’s Briefing on the Construction and Demolition sector
The construction and demolition sector is one of the most material-intensive industries and one of the largest contributors to waste production in the EU. In fact, it has become the largest waste stream in Europe, accounting for more than a third of all waste generated.
Treating global resources as limitless is not only increasing waste generation and resource depletion, but also aggravating the climate emergency. The extraction of materials, the manufacture of building components, and the construction and renovation of buildings are estimated to contribute 5-12% of total greenhouse gas emissions.
To increase circularity in the sector while creating social employment, some social enterprises from the RREUSE network have been active in the re-use of building components. This briefing outlines the importance of these activities carried out by social enterprises.