Regions push EU to target construction waste

A group of European metropolitan regions, including the Capital Region of Denmark, Paris Île-de-France and Amsterdam, are calling on the European Commission to give construction a central role in the upcoming Circular Economy Act.

The construction sector accounts for around 40 percent of total waste in the EU, yet the industry has not been designated as a distinct pillar in the draft legislation. The law is expected to be presented in 2026.

The joint Call for Action, also signed by Vienna and the City of Copenhagen among others, urges the Commission to introduce binding requirements for the construction sector, covering areas such as reuse, reduced material consumption and lower dependence on virgin raw materials.

– The construction sector accounts for around 40 percent of EU waste. When we talk about the circular economy, it is therefore crucial that construction gets a clear and binding place in the new law, so we can reduce the pressure on virgin raw materials, says Lars Gaardhøj, chair of the Capital Region of Denmark.

The regions also point to a growing shortage of raw materials such as sand and gravel across Europe, rising prices and increasing import dependency as key reasons why the sector must be included.