Comparison of construction and demolition waste management between Brazil, European Union and USA

Construction and demolition waste represents a significant waste flow, both in Brazil and in other countries. According to specific Brazilian legislation, since 2004 construction and demolition waste can no longer be disposed of in open dumps, municipal solid waste landfills, slopes, waterways and environmental protected areas. Construction and demolition waste should preferably be recycled, but just a small amount of it returns to the construction industry production chain in Brazil. This work aims both to present diagnoses of the construction and demolition waste management in Brazil, the European Union and the United States and to compare their results. It is concluded that Brazil presents performance indicators in relation to construction and demolition waste management well below those found for the other analysed countries. Furthermore, differences and similarities are identified and potentials for improvement in the current situation of construction and demolition waste in Brazil are discussed.