Demolition and construction recycling unified management: the DECORUM platform for improvement of resource efficiency in the construction sector.

The construction and public work sectors are faced with a series of challenges that will need to be addressed in moving towards an effective circular economy model. The aim of this work was to develop a simple but holistic approach to the management of construction projects in order to ensure compliance with technical standards and environmental criteria right from the set-up phase and to foster an increased use of recycled materials and saving of natural resources. To achieve this goal, a multi-user platform was designed and developed to manage and control all stages and procedures of public work and provide support to all those involved throughout the various stages of implementation. The platform included (1) technical standards; (2) environmental law; (3) databases; (4) technical specifications for public tenders; (5) a tool to assess environmental impacts and circularity; (6) a marketplace to facilitate and transparently manage trading of natural, artificial, and recycled aggregates; (7) interactive catalogues with declarations of building products; and (8) interactive maps for the geolocation of treatment plants, producers, and construction sites. The platform, currently undergoing validation by public administrations, will represent a valuable tool for use in enabling public work contractors to reduce environmental impacts, promote an informed and transparent use of recycled products, and to encourage a more sustainable use of natural resources. The platform will facilitate the application of green public procurement (GPP) which, although mandatory in several countries (e.g., in Italy), continues to encounter a series of problems in implementation. The platform will also enhance compliance with technical standards and minimum environmental criteria (MEC), as recently defined for buildings and road construction and maintenance, thus expanding the market for artificial and recycled aggregates with certified products and guaranteed quality.