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Chapter 17 — Construction and demolition wastes Non-Hazardous

EWC Code

17 09

Other construction and demolition wastes

EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000

Annual Volume

80 million tonnes/year EU mixed C&D

Valorisation Range

€1.2B mixed C&D processing market

Primary Route

Material recovery after sorting

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Waste Classification

EWC 17 09 is the residual sub-chapter for construction and demolition wastes not captured in 17 01–17 08. Entries: 17 09 01* (construction wastes containing mercury), 17 09 02* (construction wastes containing PCBs e.g. PCB-containing sealants, resin-based floorings, glazing units), 17 09 03* (other construction and demolition wastes containing dangerous substances), 17 09 04 (mixed construction and demolition wastes not containing dangerous substances).

Mixed C&D waste (17 09 04) is the catch-all for demolition arisings not separately sorted at source. Mixed fractions typically contain concrete, brick, wood, glass, plastic, metal and insulation in varying proportions. Pre-demolition waste audits and selective demolition techniques convert mixed waste to sorted material streams attracting higher recycling rates and better classification.

PCB-containing construction materials were used in sealants (between concrete panels in pre-cast buildings), in capacitors in fluorescent lighting, in transformer insulating oils and in certain floor coatings. Buildings constructed 1950–1980 are the primary source. PCB waste disposal governed by PCB Directive 96/59/EC — decontamination or destruction required.

Typical Generators

Demolition contractors
General construction sites
Civil engineering projects
Emergency demolition operations

Disposal & Valorisation Routes

Established valorisation pathways for EWC 17 09, ranked by economic value and market depth. Material recovery after sorting is the primary route.

Material recovery after sorting

Primary

Mixed C&D waste sorted at dedicated processing facilities into concrete, masonry, wood, metal, glass and plastic fractions. Each fraction routed to appropriate material recycler. Sorting quality determines recyclate purity and market value. EWC sub-codes assigned after sorting.

Secondary aggregate production

Secondary

Mixed mineral fraction (concrete, brick, stone) crushed and screened to produce recycled aggregate for road sub-base, pipe bedding and fill applications. Meeting BS EN 13242 or equivalent aggregate standard enables civil engineering use.

Landfill (non-hazardous cell)

Backstop

Mixed non-hazardous C&D waste not suitable for recycling disposed at non-hazardous landfill. Pre-treatment to reduce biodegradable content may be required under Landfill Directive organic waste diversion targets. Segregation of hazardous components mandatory before landfill acceptance.

These are the established routes for EWC 17 09. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.

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NACE Receiving Industries

Primary & secondary off-takers

01
Recovery of sorted materials

C&D waste sorting and processing facilities producing secondary aggregate and sorted fractions

02
Demolition

Demolition contractors generating mixed C&D waste and commissioning waste management

03
Construction of roads and motorways

Civil engineering projects accepting recycled C&D aggregate in road construction

04
Hazardous waste treatment

PCB and mercury-containing C&D waste specialist disposal

Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008

Regulatory Context

Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 17 09 classification, transport, and treatment.

PCB Directive 96/59/EC — PCB-containing construction materials

PCB-containing sealants and floor coatings in buildings subject to PCB Directive decontamination obligations when buildings demolished. PCB waste must be treated or destroyed by licensed contractor. Inventorying of PCB-containing equipment required by owners. Directive applies to equipment containing >5 dm³ of PCB or PCB concentration >50 ppm.

WFD 2008/98/EC — 70% C&D recycling target

EU target: 70% by weight of non-hazardous C&D waste reused, recycled or recovered by 2020 under Art. 11(2)(b). Progress measured at Member State level. Mixed C&D waste classified 17 09 04 reduces recycling rates by making sorting more difficult and costly. Pre-demolition waste audits increasingly mandated.

Mercury Regulation 2017/852/EU — mercury in demolition waste

Construction materials containing mercury (17 09 01*) must be managed to prevent mercury release. Demolition waste mercury survey required before structural work in pre-1990 buildings. Mercury waste segregated and sent to licensed treatment facility. Mercury export from EU prohibited from 2011.

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Industries That Use This Waste

Sectors that valorise EWC 17 09 as an input material or secondary raw material.

Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas

Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 17 09 and related waste streams flow across European industries and sectors.

View Atlas

Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008

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