The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have launched the Safe, Sustainable, and Swift Reconstruction of Ukraine (S3) project to recycle construction debris from buildings destroyed in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The project aims to change the approach to using concrete construction waste by reusing it in new construction projects. According to the project team, a circular approach will help reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.
A specialized production line mounted on a truck will be used to process concrete debris directly at demolition sites. The concrete waste will be recycled into large aggregates, fine aggregates, and cement powder.
The recycled materials will allow for the creation of new concrete, which can be used for constructing future buildings or paving sidewalks. The cement powder can be added to concrete mixtures or used as a gravel base for sidewalks. Additionally, the waste can be used to produce Portland cement for well cementing.
Portable equipment on-site will identify recyclable materials and differentiate standard concrete from alkali-activated concrete and asbestos, which are unsuitable for recycling.
An online calculator will estimate waste from demolished structures, aiding communities in planning costs for demolition, logistics, and storage of debris.
