To successfully recycle plastics in the construction industry – whether in new construction, renovation, or demolition – numerous process steps are necessary. Without a suitable concept, the separation of plastics by type, adapted logistics, and processing, the introduction of plastics into material recycling is neither economically viable nor technically feasible. With the pilot construction sites, we aim to investigate these various aspects and examine the individual process steps based on specific questions:

• In the planning phase, the primary focus is on whether and how the separate collection of installed plastics can best be considered. This also involves how these efforts can be incorporated into the tendering of construction work and how much additional effort is actually generated by this additional planning.
• In the execution phase, different approaches to the separate collection of plastics on the construction site will be examined. The focus here is on the questions of how much additional effort the separate collection entails and what skills, e.g., distinguishing between plastic products, are necessary for this. The local conditions/space constraints on the construction site, location of the construction site, etc. are also taken into account.
• The sorting of plastics is an important step to enable recycling, as not every plastic can be used as a raw material for every plastic component. For the sorting step, we would like to compare two strategies: on the one hand, the direct sorting through separate collection of different plastic fractions on the construction site and, on the other hand, the subsequent sorting of a mixed plastic container in sorting facilities.
• To close loops, it is not enough to just collect plastics. They must also be fed into effective recycling processes. Based on the collected plastic, we would like to check which additional steps are necessary for successful recycling. These include, for example, the removal of foreign bodies, the sorting out of materials with disruptive pollutants, or the clarification of logistical questions, such as how the material gets to the recycling plant.
• In the case of a new building, we would investigate which factors promote the collection of product sections, for example, from pipes, and packaging.

The goal of the project is to investigate 2-4 pilot construction sites by the end of 2025. One pilot construction site was already processed at the end of 2024 and initial findings were obtained. This means that we are still looking for 1-3 additional construction sites.

• Framework conditions: The presence of many plastics and the availability of a pollutant assessment are advantageous for gaining insights.
• Type of construction site: Primarily suitable are renovations and demolitions of apartment buildings and office buildings. Other types of buildings are also possible in principle, but we see less potential for answering our questions (1st question). A new construction site would also be welcome, but the focus is on the recovery of demolition materials.
• Time horizon: Ideally, the project is in the planning stage of execution and at least a few weeks before the start of work. This allows the most relevant questions to be identified together and then the work and necessary stakeholders to be optimally coordinated before the start of work.

Do you know of a potential construction site? Then contact Maja Wiprächtiger.

The figure below shows where plastics are used in buildings. It is important for our test construction sites that plastics are present. In principle, the more the better, but not all of the plastic products listed here need to be present.

• Floor coverings / Wall coverings
  In particular, floors made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), also known as vinyl flooring, are common plastic floors with recycling potential. Sometimes such coverings are also used on walls. Stretch carpets are also made of polyester plastic.
• Roof sealing membranes
  The sealing membranes on roofs can be made of plastic, mainly PVC (polyvinyl chloride), but sometimes also of other polymers such as FPO (flexible polyolefins).
• Insulation material
  Insulation made of EPS (expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam)) and XPS (extruded polystyrene) are used as perimeter, facade and / or roof insulation. EPS is also used as impact sound insulation in floors, but these quantities are small compared to the thermal insulation.
• Windows
  Window frames can be made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
• Pipes / Cables
  Plastics are used for heating / cooling pipes, (waste) water pipes and as cable protection pipes.
• Packaging
  Many building materials are delivered to construction sites in packaging. This packaging, especially films followed by buckets, can also be collected and recycled. Cartridges also fall into this category.

In a first step, it is determined whether and which plastics are present in the building in question. This usually requires a joint inspection with us. Depending on the situation, the identification of the plastics can also be taken over by the existing team of the construction project, for example, the planning engineering office. Based on the type of plastics, the building and the construction project, as well as the time horizon, we define the specific questions for this construction site together with the planners and, if applicable, the executing parties (see 1st question).

Depending on the questions, the subsequent process is different. However, ongoing coordination during the planning and execution phase is important.

Afterwards, we document the findings and prepare them in such a way that they are available to all interested parties.

By providing a construction site, you can contribute to the promotion of the circular economy in the construction industry. Pilot projects, such as the planned pilot construction sites, can help to reduce prejudices, e.g. regarding costs, and close gaps in knowledge. The findings gained from the pilot construction sites can be applied directly to further construction projects and thus contribute to the achievement of climate goals. Since a central part of a recycling system is the cooperation of actors along value chains, this also plays a major role in the pilot construction sites. Through your pilot construction site, you and your contractors will become part of the network, which can be valuable for future projects.

The overall coordination is carried out by us.

The following expenses are incurred for the construction project:

• Effort for coordination with us
• Effort for the inspection of the building with regard to the installed plastics
• Time to answer our questions so that we can gather the experience

Depending on the issues, the following expenses are added:

• Additional planning effort in advance and for the tender
• Additional expenses for the separate collection of plastics on the construction site
• Adapted logistics for transport to sorting centers, recycling plants or other customers

Financial expenses on the part of the construction project: The exact additional expenses during planning and execution depend on various aspects such as the size of the construction site, issues to be investigated and scope of work.

Currently, the search for test construction sites and coordination with stakeholders is financed via the ARE funding program. The support of the test construction sites and the processing of the results require additional funding. You can find out more in the last question.

We accompany the entire work during the test construction site, document it and compile the findings. These findings are continuously shared in the network and compiled at the end of the overall project in such a way that they are available to the general public.

Regular exchanges in the network not only serve to share the knowledge gained, but also to gather the experiences and ideas of other stakeholders and, where possible, to incorporate them into the test construction sites. In this way, everyone benefits from the knowledge and experience of other project partners in order to jointly take the first step towards comprehensive plastics recycling in Switzerland.

To address the specific issues at the individual test construction sites, we bring together the necessary stakeholders and ensure that cooperation is initiated and can take place. If there are additional opportunities that cannot yet be covered by our network, we will endeavor to find suitable stakeholders.

In addition to the construction site-specific exchanges, two to three overarching workshops are also planned. The aim is not only to carry these out with the directly involved stakeholders, but also to open them up to all interested parties. In this way, knowledge is continuously passed on and new inputs based on the experience gained can be gathered from a broad target group and, where possible, immediately incorporated.

The first exchange will take place online on February 20, 2025 at 09:00. The topics will be the findings from the first test construction site, the currently ongoing and planned work in the project will be presented again and the search for test construction sites will be discussed. The online meeting also offers the opportunity to ask questions about the overall project and specifically about the test construction sites. If you are interested, please contact Maja Wiprächtiger .

 The work of realcycle for the test construction sites is financed partly by the ARE's «Sustainable Development» funding program and partly by project partners.

The determined budget is around CHF 90,000. Of this, CHF 20,000 is covered by the funding program.

For the test construction site that has already been investigated, the location promotion of the Canton of Aargau and Kunststoff.swiss jointly approved CHF 25,500. An additional CHF 15,000 has been approved by other project partners. This results in a gap of approximately CHF 45,000, for which we are still looking for sponsors.