Unlocking the Circular Potential of Construction and Demolition Waste: A Pathway for Texas’ Construction Industry

The construction industry is a global generator of waste, with Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) representing the largest solid waste stream in the United States. Landfilling remains the dominant disposal method, carrying significant environmental consequences. A barrier to recycling is the lack of positive economic incentives, particularly for “vertical” CDW (VCDW), a mixed debris stream generated from building demolition activities. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a framework to unlock the circular potential of CDW currently landfilled in Texas. First, the technical feasibility of using minimally sorted VCDW as a fine aggregate replacement for commonly manufactured concrete products, such as concrete masonry units, was investigated. Second, a GIS-based logistical model was developed to site a statewide network of CDW reuse facilities using provenance and quantity data collected over seven years from landfill intake records maintained by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Laboratory testing confirmed that concrete mixtures using 100 percent VCDW aggregate achieved compressive strengths suitable for masonry product applications, offering a pathway for further exploration and development. The GIS-based analysis also confirmed waste stream availability that is necessary to support sustained production. An optimized network of 23 facilities could capture approximately 6,527,768 short tons (5,921,891.6 metric tons), or 88.4 percent, of the average annual CDW landfilled leading to strong economic viability based on current market value of end-product. This study provides a foundational framework for advancing a scalable circular economy for CDW in Texas and other regions facing similar waste management challenges.