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Description
Contribute decisively to the development of the circularity of value chains, through the creation of a platform for the recovery of waste originating in the civil construction sector, in which the various stakeholders associated with the sector participate. 1) the study and in-depth characterization of waste produced in the region and, eventually, at a national level;
2) the experimental assessment of the potential for reuse of waste produced in new construction products;
3) the determination of characteristics of different alternatives of materials that incorporate them and the development of marketable solutions, through an ideas competition; and
4) the management, governance and dissemination of the platform, to capture stakeholders in the RAA and outside the RAA. secondary materials increased in the supported sectors
jobs created
innovative solutions for increased resource efficiency piloted
SMEs supported
Summary of project results
Europe, Portugal and the Azores, due to their dependence on the import of raw materials and commercial products, will have advantages, both economic and strategic, in adoption of a circular economy paradigm. However, the transition between the two models (linear to circular) is a complex process, both due to the activities and the agents involved. Manage this change requires in-depth knowledge of agents and institutions to design schemes that enhance behavioral changes and remove barriers to implementation of the paradigm. The design of transition facilitating mechanisms implies, in turn, knowledge of agents'' behaviors and their determinants. The Region Autonomous Region of the Azores (RAA) is made up of nine islands, with a population of 246,772 people (2011 data), spread across a strip of approximately 600 km in the Atlantic North. With regard to waste prevention, management and recovery, the situation in the RAA has evolved positively in recent years, with partially selective collection widespread and centralized and modern landfills. However, there is still much to do. The Regional Waste Information System issues annual reports with the quantities collected and recovered, by category of waste. However, the information available is not always clear about the type of recovery to which the waste is subjected, nor is it easily relatable to the waste management hierarchy indicated in Article 11 of DLR nº 19/2016/A. Taking into account size, geographic dispersion, existence of different waste operators/managers licensed and a good level of monitoring/knowledge about waste production in the region, it is considered that the RAA corresponds to a good living laboratory for the implementation and testing of operations proposed in this project, for subsequent implementation at national level.
This project intended to contribute significantly to the development of the circularity of value chains, through the creation of a platform for the valorization of waste originated in the construction sector, in which the various stakeholders associated with the sector participate.
The project developed and implemented a platform for the valorization of waste originated in the construction sector and also undertook a range of ancillary activities that contributed to greater effectiveness, widespread adoption and sustainability. These ancillary tasks included: 1) the in-depth study and characterization of waste produced in the region and eventually at national level, with waste identification and mapping, physical and mechanical properties assessment, waste classification and the definition of valuation criteria; 2) the experimental evaluation of the reuse potential of waste produced in new construction products; 3) the determination of the characteristics of various material alternatives that incorporate them and the development of marketable solutions through an idea contest; and 4) management, governance and dissemination of the platform to attract stakeholders in and outside the RAA.
The project developed in eight activities:
A.1 - Study and characterization of waste.This activity identified the main waste produced in the RAA for the identification of the categories with the biggest potential to incorporate in particular products, to use in construction. After definition, there was a study of their properties, classification and criteria for valuation.
A.2 - Stakeholders identification and engagement on the project. This activity enabled the identification of companies, organizations and associations that integrate the value chain of construction, management and recovery of waste. The identified stakeholders were segmented in order to adapt the communication actions and tactics to be used at the action and disclosure level.
A.3 - Study of technology for waste valorization. In this activity, a study was made of the technology for waste recovery. In a first stage to study focused in the technology, established the experimental procedures to be used, as well as the techniques of development of the composite materials that incorporate the waste. Subsequently, these experimental procedures were implemented under A.3.2. In the next stage, the developed prototypes were subject to analysis and experimental / numerical characterization. Finally the information was collected in a technical file, prepared for each of the developed compounds.
A.4 - Development and implementation of marketing plan. In this activity, the target audiences were explored with the materials developed in A.3. It is a continuity action, which aimed to outline a strategy consistent with the characteristics reflected. In addition, the continuity of knowledge transfer was promoted through a set of integrated actions, which assumed that each party has important knowledge to share in this domain. The activities for this action were: Development and implementation of the Marketing Plan; Development of promotional material by technology / product; Participation in fairs / conferences / workshops; Meetings with potential clients and partners; Product / technology presentation sessions.
A.5 - Circular Platform development and implementation. In this activity, we intended to develop and implement the platform that will serve as the basis for the articulation of the different stakeholders associated with the project. Thus, the first task included the development and optimization of the platform''s layout. Later modules were developed for each project activity. These modules were integrated into the platform itself. Finally, the platform was implemented.
A.6 - Contest for development of new products. In this activity, we captured ideas for four (4) new products, applicable to construction, based on the materials developed in A.3, through an idea generation contest. Solutions developed in A.3 were optimized to the requirements applicable to winning solutions, and tested to verify compliance with regulatory / regulatory requirements. Later prototypes were developed at full scale. Finally, a life cycle analysis of each of the winning solutions was performed.
A.7 - Dissemination and communication of the Circular Platform. This activity was transversal to the whole project and the tasks associated with project Communication Plan.
A.8 - Project management and governance. This activity was transversal to the whole project and was of fundamental importance for the good performance of the project, ensuring the careful management of the project until its completion. At each stage of the process, guidance was available in the form of report templates and deadlines to be met throughout the project. Defining a governance model based on the project''s balance between partners, civil society and the market, at local, national and international levels, centered on its principles, values, strategy and culture, provided a comprehensive and consistent method for controlling the project ensuring its success.
The project included the identification and characterization of construction and demolition waste produced in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, and the laboratory assessment of its potential for recovery through incorporation into construction materials. There was a concern that this valorization would be carried out through commonly used technologies for a gradual transition to more sustainable construction methods.
To promote greater adherence and development of the project results, product presentation sheets and a marketing and publicity plan were created. Sixteen (16) business and service entities were selected to disseminate and integrate the project''s products into their activity, within the scope of circular construction.
The competition for ideas for presenting innovative projects or proposals in sustainability and circular economy resulted in one winning proposal per theme (covering products, urban furniture, interior furniture, and free theme) and two, which due to their interest, were distinguished with honorable mentions.
The circular platform offers a dynamic and friendly tool for interconnection and interaction between the various players in the sector, and assists in the design, construction preparation and subsequent execution phases. The platform will provide updated information on what types of waste and in what quantities exist or will be generated in a given location, which entity produced or owns it, which recovery solutions can be applied and which entities can value it.
With the entry into operation of the circular platform, it is expected that the sector will gain momentum in the use of available resources from construction and demolition waste, to reduce external dependence on materials and transport costs, along with greater dissemination the potential of using secondary materials.
The project also had results that were not initially foreseen and that will have an impact beyond its execution period, namely the expansion of product circularity in small and medium-sized companies in the Region, and the reuse or recycling of waste and the use of secondary materials in interventions direct administration of the services of the Autonomous Regional Administration.
Summary of bilateral results
The Icelandic partner - ReSource International ehf participated in activity 3. Study of technology for waste valorization and 6. Contest for development of new products.