Potential for Material Recovery - A Qualitative Analysis of Building Stock Resources: A Qualitative Analysis of Building Stock Resources
Translated title
Potential for Material Recovery - A Qualitative Analysis of Building Stock Resources
Author
Mohamed, Samaa Aly
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2026
Submitted on
2026-01-07
Pages
70
Abstract
This thesis assesses the material recovery potential of Danish single-family houses constructed between 1950 and 2000. The study focuses on identifying materials present in typical building components and evaluating their potential relevance for recovery at the end of a building’s life. The analysis is based on a component-level approach, where commonly used materials are first identified within representative building components and subsequently aggregated into prototype buildings for five construction periods. Material recovery potential is evaluated using a qualitative scoring framework. The environmental relevance of selected materials is assessed using life cycle impact data covering production (A1–A3), end-of-life (C1–C4), and potential benefits beyond the system boundary (Module D), based on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). The results show differences in material recovery potential and environmental relevance across construction periods and building components. The combined assessment supports the prioritization of materials where recovery strategies are most likely to be environmentally meaningful in a future circular context.
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