Urban Mining in the Irish Construction Sector
In light of growing concerns about the environment and the depletion of resources, the construction sector is turning to innovative methods to reduce carbon emissions. One such method is urban mining. Urban mining refers to the process of recovering valuable materials from existing buildings, infrastructure and urban environments rather than extracting them from untapped natural sources. This concept is crucial for promoting sustainable construction practices and contributes to the creation of a circular economy, in which raw materials are recycled, waste is minimised and the impact on the environment is reduced.
The role of Urban Mining in a circular economy
Traditional construction processes often involve the use of non-renewable materials and generate a lot of waste, contributing to pollution and resource depletion. Urban Mining offers a solution by enabling the recovery of metals, concrete, glass and other materials from dismantled buildings and renovation projects. These recovered materials can be recycled for reuse in new construction projects, reducing the need for primary materials and limiting the carbon footprint associated with extraction and processing. Integrating urban mining into circular construction has several advantages:
Reduced use of raw materials
Urban mining reduces dependence on primary aluminium, steel and copper, which can be energy-intensive to extract and process. By recycling materials from old or obsolete buildings, the construction sector can conserve natural resources.
Lower carbon emissions
The extraction and refining of raw materials produces significant greenhouse gases. By choosing recycled post-consumer materials, the carbon emissions associated with procurement and production are significantly reduced, contributing to more environmentally friendly construction practices.
Minimising waste
Construction and demolition generate a lot of waste. Urban mining can help recover a large proportion of this waste and convert it into reusable materials for future projects.
Urban mining fits perfectly with the objectives of the circular economy, which aims to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible so that maximum value is extracted from them before they are discarded.
How does SAPA support urban mining and the circular economy?
As a leading supplier of architectural aluminium systems, SAPA plays a crucial role in promoting urban mining in the building and construction sector. Our commitment to sustainability and innovation is in line with the principles of the circular economy and offers solutions that reduce environmental impact while meeting modern architectural needs.
Recycling aluminium at the end of its life in construction
Our focus on using recycled aluminium (post-consumer) is in line with the core principles of urban mining. Aluminium is a material that can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality, strength or durability. We supply all our products in Hydro CIRCAL® 75R as standard, which contains at least 75% recycled scrap at the end of its life, requiring 95% less energy for production and emitting 85% less carbon than the global average for primary aluminium. In addition, we can supply our products in Hydro CIRCAL® 100R for selected projects, which is made from 100% post-consumer material and contains only 0.4 kg of aluminium per kg of aluminium – one of the lowest carbon impacts on the market.
Innovative product design for sustainability and recyclability
Our range of new products has been designed with sustainability and end-of-life recyclability in mind. Our windows, doors and façades are built to future performance standards, meaning they need to be replaced and renovated less often. When a building reaches the end of its life cycle, our SOLEAL Next windows and doors and our TENTAL façade can be easily dismantled and recycled, supporting the circular economy of the future.
Urban mining and the future of construction
As the world seeks more sustainable ways to develop environments, urban mining will play an increasingly important role. For the construction industry, it is not just about reducing costs and conserving resources, but also about meeting the growing demand for environmentally conscious and sustainable building solutions. Urban mining contributes directly to the circular economy, in which materials flow through industry in a continuous cycle of use, recovery and recycling. We are proud of our pioneering role in this transition and offer products and materials that not only meet high performance standards but also promote sustainable construction goals. Urban mining is transforming the construction industry by recovering valuable raw materials, reducing waste and supporting the transition to a circular economy. Our innovative approach to end-of-life recycled aluminium and recyclable products demonstrates how we are leading the way in creating low-carbon, circular solutions for the built environment. By embracing urban mining and the circular economy, the construction industry can significantly reduce its environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
