CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT: KEY STUDY OF SKOPJE
- 1. University American College, Skopje, North Macedonia
- 2. University St. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, North Macedonia
- 3. Engineering and Natural Science Faculty, Konya Technical University, Konya, Turkey
- 4. University American College, Skopje, North Macedonia
Abstract: Waste is one of the biggest environmental problems. Waste generation has been increasing. Contemporary waste management covers the minimization of waste and after that recycling and reuse and other forms of recovery. Waste disposal is the least favorable option. In the frame of waste construction waste has a significiant part of total waste generation, which seriously affects the environment. The construction sector generates about 33% of the total waste in the EU. In North Macedonia and in the capital city of Skopje construction waste generation also has been increasing. This waste frames waste from construction, renovation, demolition, and other activities. It contains various materials such as many types of metal, glass, wood, concrete, and many other components. Construction waste has a big potential for economic and environmental benefits. In Skopje, the amount of collected construction waste is about 330 tons of which 34 tons belong to asbestos waste which is hazardous waste. The amount of reusing and recycling is on a low level. Proper construction waste management can contribute to the development of the circular economy. N. Macedonia and its capital city Skopje has an obligation to follow and implement the EU standards and regulation in the sphere of waste including construction waste. The main goal of this paper is to analyze possibilities for improvement of construction waste management and use its potential towards to circular economy. Also, the paper aims to analyze regulation in this sphere and to propose the improvement of this regulation as a precondition for sustainable construction waste management.