INERTWASTE assesses the progresses of two policies instruments to integrate circularity in the construction sector

On 15 October, ACR+ and its Built Environment Thematic Area hosted the first policy review of the INERTWASTE project. The session aimed to present the results partners achieved and their planned policy improvements. The INERTWASTE partners were joined by European experts and local and regional authorities from outside the partnership, invited by ACR+.

During the workshop, two INERTWASTE partners presented the policy instruments they have put in place to integrate circularity in the construction sector, taking inspiration from good practices presented during the Transnational Learning Journeys:

• The Municipality of Guldborgsund (DK) outlined its 2020 climate Action Plan. The strategy includes a 2030 CO2 neutrality target (Primarily scope 1 and 2) to be achieved also through the circular use of construction waste. Guldborgsund also shared insights on its ongoing efforts to achieve its next improvement, consisting in the establishment of a reuse center for construction materials and spoke about the underlying challenges.  

• The Regional Development Agency for Podravje - Maribor (RDAPM) presented the updates of the Strategy for the Transition of the City of Maribor to the Circular Economy 2024–2030. These include the increase in the use of inert materials for the activities of the Public Enterprise Nigrad and the establishment of a construction materials centre. In addition, RDAPM outlined the next desired policy improvement, consisting of the integration of inert waste valorisation objectives into the 2030 Municipal Waste Management Strategy and Action Plan.

The workshop also provided the opportunity to showcase good practices and examples from other EU countries to provide inspiration and useful insights to Guldborgsund, Maribor and all INERTWASTE partners to achieve their desired policy improvements.

Partners heard from Atelier Circulier, a Leuven-based ngo which conducts small-scale urban mining through selective deconstruction of buildings, in agreement with the City of Leuven and other public building owners. Atelier Circulier also presented the key features of its construction material bank, providing useful input to Guldborgsund Municipality in its ongoing efforts to establish a public reuse centre.

A representative of the German Sustainable Building Council then presented the DGNB System (Certification system for sustainable construction, renovation and operation) and the DGNB Building Resource passport. Introduced in 2022, the passport is now used by thousands of organizations across Austria, Germany and Switzerland to document key information of the life cycle of public buildings.

The workshop enabled the INERTWASTE partners to reflect on the status of their policy improvements as well as to learn and hear from the practices and activities of other organisations. The next policy review session will take place in the first half of 2026 and will deep dive into the policies of Navarra and Region Sud.