Recycling Municipal and Construction Waste and the Application of RDF in the Cement Industry and Sustainable Building Materials Production

Nasim Poursina¹ Taktam Tajgardān²

1) Graduate in Environmental Science and Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran; Employee of Bojnord Municipality, Bojnord, Iran.
2) M.Sc. in Soil Science, University of Gorgan, Gorgan, Iran; Employee of Bojnord Municipality, Bojnord, Iran.

IOI Code : ABGG-ACABGK
Publication : 11th.International Conference on Researches in Science & Engineering & 8th.International Congress on Civil, Architecture and Urbanism in Asia(11icrsie.ir)
Abstract :
    The increasing volume of municipal and construction waste, the limited availability of natural resources, and the high energy consumption of the cement industry have highlighted the need to develop innovative approaches to recycling and resource recovery. This study aims to examine the potential for recycling municipal and construction waste and to investigate the applicability of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in the cement industry and the production of sustainable building materials. Adopting a review and analytical approach based on library and documentary research, the study examines previous research findings concerning the composition and recyclability of construction and demolition waste, the use of recycled aggregates in concrete products, and the application of RDF as an alternative fuel in cement kilns. The reviewed studies indicate that construction waste, including concrete, bricks, stone, and other masonry materials, can be reused and converted into secondary raw materials when properly sorted and processed. Furthermore, the controlled replacement of natural aggregates with recycled aggregates, depending on their technical properties and replacement ratios, enables the production of certain building materials. In addition, RDF produced from suitable municipal waste fractions with sufficient calorific value can supply part of the energy required by the cement industry and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. However, realizing this potential depends on fuel quality, processing costs, technical compatibility, and compliance with environmental requirements. Overall, the findings indicate that integrated management of municipal and construction waste, prioritizing reuse and material recycling while employing RDF appropriately for energy recovery, can contribute to conserving natural resources, reducing waste disposal, and enhancing the economic and environmental sustainability of the construction and cement industries.

Keywords : waste recycling construction and demolition waste refuse derived fuel (rdf) cement industry sustainable building materials circular economy