RECYCLING CENTRES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTES IN BRAZIL: A STUDY CASE FOR THE CITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO

There are very few construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling centres in
Brazil. Data relating to C&D waste management and recycling in Brazil were collected and
analysed to encourage the building and operation of new units. Based on the results of this
analysis, a conceptual model was proposed to perform feasibility studies of future C&D waste
recycling centres.
Applying this model to verify the feasibility of private recycling centres, negative results
show that C&D waste recycling centres in current market conditions in Brazil are not financially
feasible if based solely on revenue from the sale of processed products. A case study for the city
of Rio de Janeiro is discussed.
The conceptual model, results of its applications in the city of Rio de Janeiro and their
analysis can strongly support public authorities and private initiatives in their decision-making
about investments in waste recycling centres in Brazil and in other developing countries.