Closed-Loop Organisational Models for Post-Consumer Recycling of Dry-Assembled Interiors

Abstract

In Europe, Construction and Demolition Waste accounts for 38% of all waste generated (EU, 2024; Eurostat, 2024). A significant portion of it relates to dry-assembled interiors (plasterboard partitions, suspended ceiling, raised flooring, etc.). Despite their propensity to closed-loop cycles, these components are often characterised by linear delivery and consumption models.

In recent years, the recycling shares of dry-assembled interiors remained stagnant (EEA, 2024), particularly post-consumer waste. This may be due, among various causes, to the lack of a clear definition of stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities within recovery chains, issues in capturing recyclables, difficulties in assessing the quality of products to be recycled, regulatory issues, etc.

To overcome these barriers, the paper proposes – as results of a PhD research ongoing at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) – three innovative organisational models for recovering dry-assembled interiors:

• Producer-centric model. Internal recycling, with a short supply chain managed by the manufacturer.
• Reseller-service model. Authorised resellers act as distributed collection points, offering take-back services.
• Third-party recycling model. Decentralised recycling process to increase the manufacturer’s recycling capacity.

The models have been applied to a pilot case focusing on plasterboard partitions and tested through the support of CWD recycling stakeholders operating in Italy. The models have been further discussed in terms of technical, economic and logistic feasibility.

The proposed models, by outlining new organisational approaches to “high-quality” (EEA, 2024) recycling of post-consumer waste based on a logic of “reverse quality traceability”, also promote transparency within the recycling chain, enhancing the quality of Secondary Raw Materials.