This thesis’ outset is an exploration of the impact of the new EU Taxonomy
and what consequences requalifying demolition waste materials would have
on the possibility of reaching the thresholds set by the EU Taxonomy. The EU
Taxonomy have, among other objectives, set an objective towards enabling
the transition to a circular economy. Leading to a problem formulation of:
How does the requalification of demolition waste material affect the possibility
of transitioning construction companies towards using 15% reused, 15%
recycled, and 20% renewable construction material in accordance with the
forthcoming EU Taxonomy?
Seeing as the EU Taxonomy sets requirements for the usage of recycled, reused,
and renewable materials used in new construction projects, stakeholders
within the industry will be pushed towards adopting practices that can
facilitate the usage of said materials. Practices that are not well-established
today.
My research and work take outset in a sociotechnical understanding of the
world, allowing me to research the linkages between actors, institutions, and
technology. In deploying this approach, I have identified discrepancies between
how our current linear acceleration economy and circular economy
value and know demolition waste materials.
Using the theories in conjunction with a comprehensive literary review, the
thesis showcases that reuse of concrete waste materials was the most significant
obstacle to aligning with the EU Taxonomy.
Using the theory of Techno Institutional Complexes and lock-in they cause, in
conjunction with framing overflow and economisation theories. Enabled the
identification of the latent barriers to circular economy principles adoption and
used the theory of sociotechnical imaginaries to contextualise the implication
of barriers for stakeholders in the construction sector.
The overall result of the thesis concludes that by expanding the requalification
of demolition waste materials to encompass the lock-in sources, stakeholders
within the industry will be more likely to be successful in adopting circular
practices, thereby aligning with the taxonomy.