The Development of Recycling in the Construction Industry and Its Effect on the Economy

The growth in world population, global climate change, consumption habits of people, and the excessive use of prime materials, causes natural resources to decline rapidly. We waste more energy during the process of production, operation and transportation of materials than ever. Perhaps one of the most important challenges that our generation faces is to create an economy that prevents waste. Considering limited resources, countries are searching for new methods of recycling and reusing waste material. Recycling is one primary way to reduce the consumption of natural resources. Waste material can go through a reproduction process with various physical and chemical transformation methods. The recycling of petrochemicals used in the automotive industry, electrical appliances, steel and cement industries, and the improvement of the transportation sector can reduce energy consumption and raw material significantly. Investment in recycling facilities can maximize profits by turning waste back into the economy. In Turkey, the improvements on the subject of recycling of materials such as plastics and paper are observed. However, we almost see no recycling in the construction industry, except iron and steel sector. Demolition materials in other countries are included in the reproduction processes through recycling. Thus both the benefits of reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions are at a minimum. Therefore, this study focuses on the recycling in the Turkey construction industry. The research also investigates the impact of recycling of construction materials to the economy and the environment based on the data and knowledge obtained from some European countries.