Defining best practices indicators for deconstruction of gypsum based products towards an effective closed-loop

Whereas building demolition is synonym of destruction, resulting on what is usually known as debris, selective demolition or deconstruction devotes special attention to cause minimal damage on materials through on-site waste segregation, therefore increasing the re-use or recycling options. Consequently, segregation becomes essential for effectively close the loop of certain building materials, as for the case of gypsum waste. Aiming to define the best practices indicators for assessing the deconstruction of gypsum based products, five pilot projects in four European countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the United Kingdom) have been monitored through a set of economic, environmental, social and technical parameters. These parameters have been combined in resulting indicators that enable to assess different aspects compared to demolition practices, such as the effectiveness of the deconstruction and segregation processes, waste traceability, labour time, costs and the environmental impacts targeted. The differences arising in each country have also been underlined. The study has been conducted within the framework of the Life+ GtoG project, which from January 2013 is working for transforming the gypsum waste market, with the aim of achieving higher gypsum recycling rates and promoting deconstruction practices in Europe