Construction demolition waste (CDW), a perspective of achievement for the city of Barranquilla since its management model

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in constructionprojects in the city of Barranquilla, leading to contamination in soilsand water sources due to the inadequate generation and disposal ofConstruction and Demolition Waste (CDW). It is clear that this is not alocal problem alone but that it involves trends present at a global level,which have led several countries to design measures for an adequatemanagement of waste generated on building sites. Some examples ofthis adequate management are: reincorporation of CDW in constructionprocesses, reuse or use of CDW as raw materials, processing of CDWto be converted into mineral aggregates for concrete and asphalt andthe use of CDW as mineral fillers. In this work we present results of astudy carried out in 75 construction sites located at different areas ofthe city of Barranquilla. We have carried out a detailed survey to assessthe management, treatment and final disposal procedures, thus leadingto a clear identification of relevant issues to deal with in this field, aswell as improvements in the knowledge in the local legislation for themanagement of CDW. Based on the results obtained here, we have identifiedthat the CDW management practices that the construction guildis currently carrying out are not adequate to solve these problems andthat a more practical and long term solution needs to include a proposalto improve the management model (involving use and transformation)and its posterior implementation in the city of Barranquilla.