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Boosting the construction and demolition recycling market
Published on 13 February 2020
Bulgaria
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The Ordinance on construction waste management and use of construction and demolition recycled materials published in 2017 in Bulgaria provides support measures for construction and demolition recycled materials and their incorporation into new construction.
Article 13 of the Ordinance stipulates that the contracting authorities of public works projects financed by public funds shall be responsible for achieving targets for integrating construction and demolition recycled materials in construction depending on the type of the construction activity as follows:
-at least 2 % for new construction of buildings and facilities;
-at least 10 % for new construction of roads;
-at least 3 % for rehabilitation, overhaul and reconstruction of roads;
-at least 8 % for new construction, reconstruction and major overhaul of other construction of technical infrastructure;
-at least 10 % for new construction of landscaped areas for public or special purpose, including networks and technical infrastructure facilities for their maintenance, amusement sites with permanently attached amusement facilities, outdoor sites for sports and cultural activities;
-at least 12 % for recycling of construction waste in backfills.
The above targets shall be reached by 2020.
Article 13 of the Ordinance stipulates that the contracting authorities of public works projects financed by public funds shall be responsible for achieving targets for integrating construction and demolition recycled materials in construction depending on the type of the construction activity as follows:
-at least 2 % for new construction of buildings and facilities;
-at least 10 % for new construction of roads;
-at least 3 % for rehabilitation, overhaul and reconstruction of roads;
-at least 8 % for new construction, reconstruction and major overhaul of other construction of technical infrastructure;
-at least 10 % for new construction of landscaped areas for public or special purpose, including networks and technical infrastructure facilities for their maintenance, amusement sites with permanently attached amusement facilities, outdoor sites for sports and cultural activities;
-at least 12 % for recycling of construction waste in backfills.
The above targets shall be reached by 2020.
Expert opinion
The good practice is a very good example how the adoption of a policy instrument can stimulate the market for recycled CDW. Thanks to this policy the recycling rate of CDW in Bulgaria is higher than the EU-28 average. Unfortunately, before the introduction of the ordinance there was no mechanism for reporting the quantities of CDW. Despite the lack of previous data, it could be said that the improvement of recycling rate is significant. Interested regions and countries can explore how the introduction of the ordinance has changed the behaviour of waste operators. They can also explore the relevance and feasibility of concrete targets. As a result, the total amount of landfill waste went down. The recycling of this waste reduces the use of primary (natural) building materials and contributes to the efficient management of natural resources and hence - to the transition to the circular economy.
Resources needed
Logistics partnership between all responsible stakeholders involved in the process of achieving the targets:
• construction and demolition waste operators (as of February 2020 - 149, excluding transporters);
• Municipalities – Number: 265
• construction and demolition waste operators (as of February 2020 - 149, excluding transporters);
• Municipalities – Number: 265
Evidence of success
As a result from the public procurements conducted in fulfilling the legislative measures for support of the construction and demolition recycled materials, the data for 2018 from the Bulgarian Executive Environment Agency are as follows:
• 37 848.310 tons of construction and demolition recycled materials are incorporated in constructions and
• 2 206 352.258 tons of recovered construction and demolition waste is used for backfilling.
• 37 848.310 tons of construction and demolition recycled materials are incorporated in constructions and
• 2 206 352.258 tons of recovered construction and demolition waste is used for backfilling.
Potential for learning or transfer
Since this is a legislative measure to boost the construction and demolition recycling market, it could be very easily transferred in other countries depending on their national legislation and local needs to support this specific market.
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Ministry of Environment and Water
Bulgaria
Yugozapaden