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Various measures have been devised for sustainable disposal of construction and demolition waste (C&DW). These measures can be summarized by the “3R” principle, i.e., reduce, reuse, and recycling. Reduction means to prevent C&D waste from being generated. It usually includes employing low waste technologies, minimizing waste by design, enacting amenable government legislations, and so on. Reuse refers to the practice of using applicable materials again, either for the original purpose or a new purpose. Recycling is the process of remanufacturing new materials with C&D waste being the raw material. Through recycling, C&D waste can be turned into new resources for use, such as recycled aggregates, asphalt and bricks.

C&D waste recycling comprises collection, sorting, recycling, storage, transportation, and disposal. Basically, it is the process of turning waste into new resources for use. Recycled materials can be reused in new construction projects, reducing the demand for virgin materials and promoting a circular economy. Recycling and reusing C&D waste is important for a number of reasons. In general terms, doing so is an excellent example of the benefits of circular economy in action, as it helps to divert significant levels of waste away from landfill, and in doing so mitigates the need to extract new raw materials from the earth. Both of these elements help to reduce environmental degradation for products at both start-of-life and end-of-life. Recycling and reusing C&D waste can also reduce financial costs, from the expenses associated with raw material extraction, processing, and transportation to the buying of new goods and their eventual disposal.

C&D waste recycling can be divided into two types. Traditionally, C&D waste is transported to off-site centralized recycling plants for treatment. Offsite recycling plants adopt high technologies typically equipped with a complete set of large-scale processing equipment. Moreover, they are capable of producing higher quality recycled products of various grading. Off-site recycling is usually more environmentally friendly, as all the processes are conducted in a controlled environment. However, they also present certain weaknesses, such as huge investment and high demand for land occupation, high transportation cost, and its associated nuisance. While this off-site/centralized recycling is still popular, many agencies are actively exploring the possibility of an on-site/decentralized recycling strategy.

Onsite C&D waste recycling refers to the process of treating waste directly at source so as to minimize the nuisance associated with transporting it to off-site facilities. It can also instigate other benefits, such as cost reduction, minimization of greenhouse gas emissions, avoidance of traffic congestion, less dust and noise pollution, as well as easier on-site management. However, there are certain drawbacks of on-site recycling too, such as the poor quality of recycled products produced due to limited availability of cleaning facilities as well as vulnerability to possible noise and dust pollution to residential areas nearby.

Onsite Recycling Equipment

From portable recycling plant to specific stand-alone equipment like mobile crushers and shredders, and carrier attachments, various equipment options are available for onsite recycling of construction and demolition waste. Depending on the project size, any or combination of these equipment are used by the contractor for onsite recycling. Some of the important equipment and carrier attachments are:

Portable Onsite Recycling Plant

A portable onsite recycling plant for construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a mobile unit designed to process waste materials at the point of generation, such as a demolition site. These plants are equipped with various components like crushers, shredders, screens, and conveyors to process materials like concrete, asphalt, wood, and metal, turning them into reusable products. The mobility of these plants reduces transportation costs and allows for efficient recycling of C&D waste directly at the source.

Mobile Crushers

Mobile crushers have emerged as a versatile solution for efficient on-site recycling of C&D waste. These versatile mobile crushers consist of vibrating feeder, stone crusher, screening system, material sorting equipment, belt conveyor and self-propelled capability integrated on a single platform. When deployed on construction projects, mobile crushers allow waste streams to be rapidly broken down into uniform sizes suitable for sorting and reuse as aggregates. By eliminating lengthy hauling and enabling resources to re-enter local supply chains, mobile crushing technology supports sustainability mandates while reducing costs.

Mobile Shredder Machines

Shredder machines are used to process and reduce construction and demolition waste, such as concrete, wood, metal and plastics, into smaller, reusable components. Equipped with powerful motors and durable blades, these machines break down large and cumbersome debris into manageable sizes, making it easier to recycle or repurpose materials for use in new construction projects. They not only help lower disposal costs but also contribute to environmental preservation by minimizing landfill waste. Their adaptability to handle various types of materials makes them a vital asset in improving waste management processes in the construction sector.

Crusher Bucket Attachment

A crusher bucket, also known as a jaw bucket, is a specialised attachment that is mounted onto the boom of an excavator or a backhoe. These buckets are specially designed to crush and recycle materials such as concrete, asphalt, rock, brick and building rubble into smaller, more manageable pieces, making them perfect for construction and demolition sites. Crusher bucket attachments offer an affordable alternative to dedicated mobile crushers making them ideal for construction and demolition sites and can be used in a wide range of applications, including general building demolition, industrial and urban renewal projects, and material processing and recycling. Crusher buckets are available in a range of sizes and are compatible with a variety of machinery.

Screening Bucket Attachment

A Screening bucket is a specialized attachment for excavators and loaders, designed to sift, separate, and screen materials at the construction and demolition site. This equipment is equipped with rotating drums or shaker screens that help separate debris, soil, rocks, and other materials, making it easier to reuse or dispose of construction & demolition waste. A screening bucket features a number of screening blades made up in different configurations (usually from 15-75mm spacing) to allow different particle sizes (from 0-70mm) of screened material depending on the requirements of the job. Often used in conjunction with a crushing bucket, screening buckets can help to reduce crushing times by up to 60%, allowing contractor to salvage materials suited to the type of job being carried out and to manage and reuse them in the best way possible.

Demolition Shears

Demolition shears are powerful attachments for hydraulic excavators and loaders used in demolition and recycling. They feature hardened steel blades and are designed to cut through various materials like steel, rebar, and concrete, making them essential for dismantling structures such as buildings and bridges, and processing scrap metal. Demolition shears enhance productivity and safety on job sites, significantly reducing manual labour and associated risks.