EWC Code
Concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics (construction and demolition waste)
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~400 Mt/year EU (C&D total); 17 01 accounts for ~50%
Valorisation Range
€5–25/tonne processed recycled aggregate
Primary Route
Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA)
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Get contacts for EWC 17 01EWC 17 01 is the largest single sub-category within construction and demolition waste (C&DW), covering concrete rubble (17 01 01), brick and masonry (17 01 02), tiles and ceramics (17 01 03), and mixed non-hazardous fractions (17 01 07). The EU C&DW Directive target under the Waste Framework Directive is 70% material recovery by mass, a target most EU-15 member states now meet or exceed for this chapter.
Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) produced from 17 01 01 is the dominant valorisation pathway. Jaw-crushed and screened concrete produces 0–40mm recycled aggregate certified under EN 13242 for use in road sub-base (Type 3 and Type 4 under Specification for Highway Works) and granular fill. High-specification concrete crushing for structural-grade RCA requires additional processing — washing, attrition scrubbing, and density separation — to remove chlorides, sulphates and attached mortar paste.
Brick rubble (17 01 02) has a distinct market in the reclaimed brick sector (selective demolition yields whole bricks at €0.50–3.00 per unit) and as crushed brick aggregate (CBA) for drainage media, sports pitch drainage layers, and lightweight fill. Ceramic tiles and sanitary ware (17 01 03) are processed by specialist C&DW recyclers into secondary aggregate for road construction.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 17 01, ranked by economic value and market depth. Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) is the primary route.
Concrete rubble crushed and screened to 0–40mm RCA for road sub-base and granular fill under EN 13242. Type 3/4 certified RCA avoids primary aggregate extraction. High-grade RCA (washed, density-sorted) achieves structural concrete specifications at 20–30% replacement of primary aggregate in BS 8500-2 mix designs.
Selective demolition recovers whole bricks that are hand-cleaned and graded for reclaimed brick markets (heritage, restoration). Premium stock fetches £1–3 per unit. Sub-grade brick crushed to CBA aggregate (4–20mm) for sports drainage layers — BS EN 13055-2 for lightweight aggregate in fill applications.
Mixed inert C&DW processed to granular fill for bulk earthworks, embankments and capping layers under Specification for Highway Works Clause 803/804. Inertness testing under EA Technical Guidance WM3 required before acceptance at unengineered fill sites.
These are the established routes for EWC 17 01. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
RCA as partial primary aggregate replacement in pre-cast blocks, pavers and pipes — up to 30% substitution in BS 8500-2 approved mix designs
RCA as road sub-base (Type 3/4) and capping layer fill under Specification for Highway Works
Licensed C&DW recycling facilities (NPPG / PPS10 compliant) processing mixed loads
Concrete fines (cement paste) as alternative raw material in cement kiln under EA Regulatory Position Statement
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 17 01 classification, transport, and treatment.
2008/98/EC Article 11(2)(b) sets a 70% preparing-for-reuse, recycling and other material recovery target for non-hazardous C&DW. Most EU-15 states meet this threshold for 17 01 codes, with the Netherlands and Germany exceeding 95%.
UK Quality Protocol for Aggregates and EU Quality Criteria (Regulation 1179/2012 for glass cullet provides the model) define when RCA exits waste classification. Compliant RCA obtains CE marking under EN 13242, enabling sale as product without waste carrier licensing.
Pre-1980 structures require hazardous screening: asbestos (MDHS101), PAH-contaminated hardcore, and lead paint. Contaminated 17 01 fractions default to 17 01 06* (hazardous) requiring licensed treatment. Salvage contractors must evidence asbestos survey completion before demolition commencement.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 17 01 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 17 01 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 17 01 and related waste streams flow across European industries and sectors.
Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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