Diagnosis of the Economic Potential within the Building and Construction Field and Its Waste in Spain

Abstract

The construction and demolition sectors are among the world’s most critical activities, generating large amounts of waste. Thus, these sectors’ waste accumulation problem is related to the environmental protection system and proper waste management. On the other hand, it is well known that proper waste disposal can increase its value. In this way, the economic potential of the trash can be raised again. Therefore, this article will examine the economic potential of construction and demolition (C & D) waste. Different waste management processes will be analyzed to better understand the topic from a financial perspective in this area underway in Spain. Therefore, data from other regions of Spain were collected. This data led to results where the most expensive rooms were Pais Vasco and the Balearic Islands, where disposal of C & D waste had the highest prices, exceeding EUR 30 per ton. Conversely, the lowest prices are found in regions such as Navarre and Andalusia, where prices per ton are EUR 8 and EUR 6, respectively. The values show a direct relationship between the treatment price and the amount of C & D waste disposed of. Therefore, this article will look at different factors influencing sustainable waste management. Such activities have a positive impact, as waste needs to be recycled and reevaluated by waste management operators. The cost of construction waste is an integral part of the budget because it represents the monetary value of the cost of collecting and recycling construction waste. Construction waste is an essential resource for economic and social development, as it contributes to job creation, education and culture, and the protection and preservation of the environment.

Keywords

• circular economy
• economic potential
• landfills
• recycling
• waste