A comprehensive overview of EU, Italian and Slovenian regulations, a detailed comparison of operational measures (traceability, penalties, End of Waste, excavated earth and rocks), and a final SWOT analysis to guide policy makers, businesses and professionals towards truly circular management of demolition and construction waste.
We recently published study ‘Legislation on construction waste management in Italy and Slovenia’, edited by ECIPA (lead partner), OZS – Obrtno Podjetniška Zbornica Slovenije and URES SDGZ – Slovensko deželno gospodarsko združenje, analyses the evolution of European legislation, examines Italian and Slovenian national regulations and provides a comparative analysis highlighting the strengths/weaknesses and opportunities/threats of the two systems, with the aim of identifying obstacles and, above all, proposing ways to activate a virtuous circle of exchange of good practices between the two sides of the border. The heart of the work is the concluding chapter, which compares specific tools and procedures, culminating in a final SWOT analysis, which will serve as a starting point for the organisation of the upcoming Circular.Buildings project workshops.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE RESEARCH
The first chapters of the research provide a structured description of EU and national legislation in the sector, divided into descriptions of:
- The EU regulatory framework on the management of demolition and construction waste: from Directive 2008/98/EC (and the subsequent 2018/851) to the waste hierarchy, through the crucial issue of backfilling, the End of Waste criteria, to specific regulations for certain materials.
- The Italian regulatory framework: from Legislative Decree 152/2006 (TUA) to Ministerial Decree 5/2/1998, from Presidential Decree 120/2017 (excavated earth and rocks) to Ministerial Decree 69/2018 (EoW milled asphalt) to the decisive Ministerial Decree 152/2022 on C&D aggregates (End of Waste).
- The Slovenian regulatory framework: its evolution, definitions, authorisation tools, traceability criteria, targets and operating procedures for C&D flows are highlighted, with a focus on the differences compared to the Italian system.
The greatest value of the research lies in the final chapters, which contain a comparative analysis of the Italian and Slovenian systems. A table focuses on certain aspects of strategic importance (e.g. the level of digitisation of management systems, the presence of any procedures and support bodies for bureaucratic compliance, etc.). Here, the reader will find:
- A comparison between Italy and Slovenia in relation to a series of detailed aspects, including operational ones (Chapter 5): traceability tools, management of excavated earth and rocks, End of Waste criteria, penalty systems, the role of CAM/green public procurement, authorisation procedures, support systems and their characteristics, etc. We chose to analyse everything from a highly operational perspective, to understand how these regulations actually translate on the construction site and in the plants and how the system can be improved in practical terms.
- The final SWOT analysis examines positive and negative aspects, as well as future opportunities and threats: it is the working basis for identifying corrective actions, harmonisations and good practices that can be transferred between the two countries, which will be discussed at the project workshops starting in September 2025.
CONCRETE BENEFITS IN THE COMING MONTHS
In the coming months, the Circular.Buildings project will organise a series of operational activities (workshops, video clips, web platforms) that will also allow these regulatory aspects to be explored in greater depth and possible exchanges of good practices between Italy and Slovenia to be discussed. The workshops will be an opportunity for public administrations, companies in the sector and professionals not only to clarify certain aspects related to the regulations, but also to reflect on objectives and possible future developments.
DOWNLOAD AND LEARN MORE
Those interested can read the full article and download the research from the link below.
To receive the analysis document directly by email or to request targeted support in adopting best practices, write to: circular.buildings@ecipa.eu.
