Urbanisation of housing and eco-efficient management of construction waste in Chile: application of the Spanish model

Abstract This paper summarises a pioneering experience in construction and demolition waste management (C&DW) in Chile. The case study consists of the construction of 17 detached dwellings that are part of an urbanisation project in the city of Temuco, in the Araucana region. The methodology developed in Spain for the C&DW quantification is employed for the calculation of expected waste in construction projects. The implementation of the proposed methodology, which includes waste separation activities on the construction site, can halve management costs, as well as the environmental cost of construction works. The case study shows the feasibility and adaptation of the Spanish methodology to an urbanisation project in Chile. Furthermore, its application generates triple benefits: environmental, social and economic. At the same time, the new proposal to reuse, recycle, treat or eliminate the waste produced sets new challenges in the areas of legislation and government management, which are elements to be considered if Chile is to achieve C&DW managemant standards similar to those in place in Brazil and the European Union.