Construction waste characterisation for production of recycled aggregate—Salvador/Brazil

Abstract

The continuous growth of municipal solid waste generation, especially from construction activities, has been responsible for the appearance of many and efficient municipal solid waste management policies from public authorities. An efficient waste management program can avoid inappropriate waste disposal, which can cause damage to both environmental and public health. Additionally, it may even lead to the development of recycling programmes. Giving special attention to solid waste from civil construction enterprises, it is important to develop environmentally active practices among construction companies with a view to reduce waste generation, increase reuse and recycling. In order to develop alternatives for construction wastes recycling, it is important to provide efficient solid waste characterization studies. An experimental study has been carried out in the city of Salvador, Brazil. Currently, 1450 tons daily of construction and demolition (C&D) wastes has been generated in Salvador. Solid waste has variable physical characteristics that: depend on the construction sector involved, the techniques employed, the construction phase and the social-economic characteristics present in the urban area in question. This paper presents the results of an intensive study of construction and demolition wastes from Salvador with the intention of creating alternative methods of increasing environmental protection and generation of low price raw material by recycling solid waste. The principal procedure used involves the characterisation of solid waste according to its physical characteristics and social-economic aspects. The results of this characterisation identified priority research lines that will help to maximise recycling of C&D waste produced in Salvador and help develop a local construction material market.