The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of materials and a significant generator of waste in Europe, accounting for nearly one-third of the EU's total waste—approximately 500 million tonnes annually. Despite the potential for 75% of this waste to be recovered, 40% remains unrecycled, leading to resource inefficiencies and environmental concerns. The EU's Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal underscore the urgent need for the construction industry to shift from a linear to a circular economy model. RECONMATIC is directly addressing this challenge by enhancing the recovery and reuse of construction materials.
The RECONMATIC project has made its contribution by developing the WASTEie Data Dictionary together with European Waste Classification codes for construction and demolition, now available on the buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) platform (bSDD Search (buildingsmart.org). These dictionaries aim to establish a consistent and standardized framework for managing circular economy information in construction using openBIM methods.
Research has shown that existing CDW management solutions often rely on proprietary BIM software and ad hoc methods, which lack standardization and scalability. Additionally, inconsistencies in terminology have led to communication barriers and limited interoperability across projects and platforms.
To overcome these challenges, the RECONMATIC team has developed an ontology to model CDW management knowledge. By leveraging openBIM standards, particularly the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema, the project facilitates interoperability and data sharing across various software platforms. IFC 4.3, was chosen for its extensive coverage, which includes rail and road domains. A comprehensive process map was also created, detailing the entire lifecycle of a built asset—from design and construction to operation and deconstruction stages—highlighting key actors in waste management and supporting circular economy principles.
Collaboration and Future Directions
RECONMATIC has collaborated with leading European initiatives, including the Eindhoven University of Technology and the RecycleBIM project. These synergies have been crucial in refining the WASTEie Data Dictionary, ensuring it includes a comprehensive set of standardized attributes relevant to material reuse and recycling. The open-source WASTEie dataset is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing software solutions, promoting waste minimization and encouraging the reuse and recycling of construction materials.
Over the coming years, the RECONMATIC project will test the WASTEie Data Dictionary in various case studies to assess its practical usability. The dataset is currently in 'Preview' mode, allowing for ongoing improvements based on user feedback. Future steps include defining information requirements using the Information Delivery Specification (IDS) standard and enabling automated compliance checks in line with openBIM principles.
Driving Sustainable Change in Construction
The RECONMATIC project represents a significant step forward in sustainable CDW management, fully aligning with the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal. By standardizing data and promoting interoperability, RECONMATIC is poised to transform the construction industry, enhancing material recovery, reducing waste, and paving the way for a more sustainable future.
This report is a deliverable of RECONMATIC under Work Package 2, focusing on technology-assisted CDW waste minimization and mitigation throughout the asset lifecycle. It is shared on the ZENODO platform, and the findings and methodologies presented here contribute to a robust framework for sustainable construction practices across the European Union.
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The article is:
Authored by Vitalij Tetervov, R&D Manager in BIMBox, partner in the RECONMATIC project
Edited by Georgia Nikolakopoulou, Dissemination Manager, Future Needs Management Consulting, Cyprus, RECONMATIC Dissemination Leader