Since China adopted an open-door policy in the 1980s, the country has undergone an unprecedented transformation, dramatically upgrading its infrastructure, including housing, roads, railway tracks, ports, airports, bridges, and tunnels. Over the past 40 years, this massive construction effort has significantly improved the living conditions of its citizens, increasing the average living space from just a few square meters to over 40 square meters per person. Homes have been renovated and decorated to high standards, reflecting individual tastes. However, this rapid and extensive development has also created several massive challenges: managing construction solid waste (CSW), including waste soil, building materials, and renovation debris. Currently, China produces about 3 billion tons of CSW annually, with the cumulative total approaching ten times that amount. As aging infrastructure and poorly planned and constructed buildings and infrastructure necessitate reconstruction/renovation or upgrading, the effective management —both in terms of speed and scale— and the maximization of the value extracted from this enormous amount of waste has become a top priority for government authorities at all levels. Furthermore, construction activities in China similarly to any other places on the globe, consume large amounts of non-renewables which leads to shortages of some materials and emphasizes the demand for effective use of recycled materials. Similarly, the increasing amount of construction and demolition waste generated leads to the need for landfills that take up space that could be used for other purposes. By 2025, China has set ambitious targets to process 4 billion tons of CSW, increasing to 4.5 billion tons per year by 2030.
RECONMATIC's Role in Tackling Construction and Demolition Waste
Despite years of local research and development of a plan for circularity in China, there is still no comprehensive approach to addressing the massive issue of construction solid waste (CSW). Currently, China's recycling rate for CSW is below 20%, starkly contrasting with over 90% in many economically developed countries. Moreover, much of China's recycling involves downcycling, which often results in lower-value applications such as landfilling and embankment structure or base layers in road or railway construction.
Recognizing the severity of this issue, the Chinese central government is actively supporting innovative research and development initiatives to adapt global best practices to local conditions. In China, due to its unique culture and decision-making processes, policies directed by the central government are swiftly implemented across various levels of government and within both state-owned and private enterprises. Recognizing the potential of the Horizon Europe project RECONMATIC, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development sees it as a valuable opportunity for China to learn from world-leading experts in Europe, the U.S. and Japan. As a result, a parallel project in China to adapt and apply RECONMATIC’s findings to the local context was initiated under the umbrella of Chinese Association for Circular Economy.
The construction industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for roughly one-third of the total. In China, this proportion is even higher due to the sector's outsized role in the economy. Effective CSW management, aimed at achieving circularity—where waste is minimized throughout the construction lifecycle and all materials are reused without downcycling—could reduce these emissions' levels. Despite global geopolitical challenges, reducing carbon emissions remains a universal goal where cooperation of all nations and governments is necessary, to secure a dignified life for humanity. In this context, the Horizon Europe project RECONMATIC can freely share its findings with China and learn on the other hand from best practice and innovation potential in China. RECONMATIC’s collaboration with China has the potential to extend its impact far beyond Europe, contributing significantly to the global effort toward zero-carbon development.
Collaborative Efforts between RECONMATIC and China
From the initial funding application stages, close collaboration between the RECONMATIC consortium and its Chinese partners has been a cornerstone of the project. Regular meetings and ongoing exchanges of knowledge and expertise between the two teams have been integral to their joint success.
The RECONMATIC project, which began in July 2022, is set to run for four years. Meanwhile, its Chinese counterpart, was officially launched in October 2023 and planned to last three years. To deepen their understanding of the project’s scope and progress, representatives from the Chinese team attended RECONMATIC's first annual meeting in Manchester, UK, in September 2023, and visited some locations and premises of the partners in the Czech Republic.
On 20-21 August 2024, RECONMATIC representatives travelled to Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province for the second formal meeting between the two teams of the RECONMATIC project. Shaoxing was chosen not only for its proximity to Shanghai but also for its innovative approach to construction and demolition waste management. It is an interesting city with history dating back to 5th century BC.
During this visit, the Chinese partners organized a national symposium titled “Construction Solid Waste Management and Utilization for a Low Carbon Future,” held on 20 August 2024. The event attracted a wide range of participants from China, including policymakers, researchers in construction and building materials, technology suppliers, and waste management companies, along with RECONMATIC representatives.
On 21 August 2024, both teams engaged in a detailed exchange of knowledge and information, as part of the RECONMATIC 1st Open Day event in China which was organized in hybrid form with almost 750 participants either in person or online. The two-day event concluded with a tour of a renewable energy production and recycling plant in Shaoxing, which integrates construction waste recycling with biomass production.
Stay tuned for more details on the event, highlights and key outcomes to be shared on the event dedicated webpage: https://www.reconmatic.eu/open-day-in-china-shaoxing
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The article is:
Authored by Yong Wang, Professor of Structural and Fire Engineering, University of Manchester, UK and Jia Li, Founder & CEO, Arcas-Callisto, UK
Edited by Georgia Nikolakopoulou, Dissemination Manager, Future Needs Management Consulting, Cyprus, RECONMATIC Dissemination Leader
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