Increasing re-use of construction and demolition materials and products - Measures for prevention of waste at Swedish recycling centres

The study presents a range of challenges to increasing re-use. Low interest and the lack of habit among the potential clients is one of the most important challenges for reuse at a larger scale. Reuse is also often inhibited by limitations such as quantity, quality and higher costs. Limitations such as high costs of storage, improper handling during storage and the potential risks of undesirable or hazardous substances entering the reuse stream are also inhibiting reuse. There is a considerable lack of information on regulations regarding the reverse logistics and handling of reusable C&D flows. Lack of information, knowledge and awareness throughout the value chain were also often named as one of the main barriers. The study presents cases which are seemingly addressing several of the above-mentioned challenges. The case examples detail how municipalities could build or facilitate cooperation across the C&D value chain. For instance, some simple screening tools, such as the “Material Atlas” could improve the information regarding material safety and several environment issues of reusable materials. The “re-purposing” concept might be useful to overcome challenges related product and material diversity. Information platforms, such as “Digital marketplace” and/or “Sharing platform” can reduce the transaction costs in reverse logistic chains.