Construction, a sector often synonymous with renewal and progress, is also a major contributor to waste, with millions of tonnes generated each year in France. According to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, the deposit of construction waste amounts to more than 40 million tonnes annually in France. Faced with these sources, the circular economy and more particularly reuse has emerged, especially with the AGEC law in 2022.
The Construction Waste Challenge
Construction elements such as doors, partitions, sanitary facilities, lighting fixtures or even materials such as rubble which were once an integral part of real estate structures often find themselves relegated to landfills. However, awareness is emerging, led by innovative initiatives such as the rehabilitation of a real estate complex. In Villeurbanne, of the 10,000 tonnes deconstructed, 19% of the materials were reused, illustrating the potential of reuse in construction.
In this innovative project, materials dismantled on site found new life in the renovated structure. This approach offers an alternative to burying these materials and demonstrates that reuse can be not only viable but also creative in the design of spaces.
Major Players Get Involved
Although only 1% of construction waste was reused in 2021, according to a study by the Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe), positive signs are emerging. Companies are being created such as CircularPlace, a platform for reusing all types of equipment and products. While behemoths of the construction industry such as Eiffage, Bouygues Immobilier and Icade are gradually integrating reuse into their practices.
Local authorities also play a driving role in this transition. The metropolises of Lyon and Paris are including incentive clauses for reuse in their calls for tenders, thus showing that change can be driven at the level of urban policies.
The Impact of the AGEC Law of 2020
The 2020 anti-waste law, also known as the Agec law (Anti-waste for a circular economy), marked a turning point in the fight against waste. Coming into force in 2022, it established a PEMD diagnosis (product, equipment, material, waste) aimed at limiting waste production in the construction sector. This regulation has encouraged construction players to review their practices and adopt more sustainable approaches.
The Commitment of Local Communities
Plaine Commune, a territorial establishment bringing together nine towns in Seine-Saint-Denis, tackled the subject of reuse in 2013. With a study of urban metabolism, they laid the foundations for an ambitious approach. In 2017, the first action plan introduced incentive clauses for reuse in works contracts. In 2019, a charter signed by around thirty promoters, landlords and communities consolidated these commitments with quantified objectives.
Obstacles to overcome
However, despite progress, challenges remain. A study reveals that almost a third of construction professionals would like insurance and guarantees for second-hand products. The costs associated with processing reclaimed materials can also make reuse more expensive than new in some cases.
It is with this circular economy, in mind that CircularPlace has developed a marketplacewhich allows you to sell your equipment, goods and unsold non-food items between professionals, and puts you in touch with voluntary organisations to recover your products.
You can also opt for a white label solution that will allow your company to circularize your equipment internally and to engage your employees around ecological themes.
The Need to Massify the Offer
According to Sylvain Laurenceau, who holds the position of economics and resources director within the CSTB, lhe proliferation of reconditioning players is a positive testimony to the growth of reuse. It highlights the imperative to develop and organize a more extensive offer to satisfy growing demand. Cautioning, he emphasizes that « over the last ten years, we have stimulated demand and structured public action. It is now necessary to amplify and structure the offer. »
The transition to a circular economy in construction represents a challenge that is both complex and essential for the future of our planet. Reuse is emerging as a promising solution, but its generalization requires continued commitment from industry players, public authorities, and society as a whole. As new initiatives emerge and attitudes evolve, reuse in construction may well evolve into a normal rather than an exceptional practice, making a significant contribution to a more sustainable future.
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