Enhancing the uptake of secondary raw materials in the construction sector through reuse and recycling

Construction and demolition waste is the largest waste stream in the European Union (EU). Although reported recovery rates are high, they are dominated by low-value practices (such as backfilling), which limit the uptake of secondary raw materials (2RMs) in closed-loop applications and undermine genuine circularity. Achieving circular construction requires shifting from recovery rates to value retention through reuse and recycling to ensure that 2RMs effectively substitute virgin inputs. Drawing on insights from six EU-funded projects—C2CA, HISER, VEEP, ICEBERG, FutuRaM, and RAW—this study analyzes key barriers and opportunities for enhancing 2RM uptake. It proposes a coherent framework of policy recommendations structured across regulatory, technological, economic, informational, and institutional dimensions. Collectively, these recommendations outline a roadmap for policymakers and practitioners to move beyond recovery metrics toward systemic value retention of materials in the construction sector.