The time is ideal for the Dominican Republic to forge alliances, advance in the co-processing of construction and demolition waste (C&DW), and strengthen the construction sector value chain, and to implement the circular economy model segment of the country’s economy as well. This conclusion is the result of the presentation of two studies that were presented in a webinar organized by the La Asociación de Industrias de la República Dominicana, Inc. (AIRD) (Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD)).
1 A “Diagnosis of Construction Waste in the Dominican Republic” presented by Deborah Navarro, Director General of Serviguide, and
2 A “Characterization of Construction Waste” in the country, presented by José Adolfo Herrera, Director of the School of Civil Engineering of UNPHU.
Circe Almánzar, Executive Vice-President-AIRD, said she hoped that a joint effort between the private sector, the public sector, and the academy would allow more significant development of this value chain, promoting a new economic model and environmental sustainability.
She further explained the importance of these studies stating, “They will allow for a more substantial information base so that we can have more effective plans for the development of the circular economy in the construction sector.”
1 In her presentation, Navarro explained that the percentage of C&DW that is used in the country is only 8%. Hence, the potential for reuse and exploitation is excellent, “Provided that a set of essential characteristics are met, including:
• Segregation at source
• Technical standards for recycling of demolition and construction
• Changes in the legal framework as regulations for the integrated management of construction
• Demolition waste
… among others …”
She listed some of the uses of these wastes in other countries:
• Hydraulic bases in roads
• Parking lots
• Hydraulic concrete
• Asphalt or black bases
• Cover infill
• Manufacture of blocks
• Partitions
• Posts
• Curbs
• Concrete pavements
• Wall construction
• Gypsum panels and plates
… among others …
2 Herrera’s study sought to establish the number of cubic meters of construction and demolition waste—meaning waste per square meter of construction in economies similar to the Dominican Republic. The study set an indicator that was 0.18 cubic meters per square meter of construction.
When applying this index to the data on construction in 2018, he pointed out that 4.4 million square meters were built, originating some 800 thousand cubic meters of C&DW, highlighting:
• 24.4% of concrete (lime, cement, sand, and water)
• 43.1% of earth (excavation)
• 23.3% of block wall (concrete)
In conclusion, the 2 studies combined changed the percentage of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) that WAS used in the country. It drastically went from only an average of 8% to an average of 30.2% (per waste demolition)!
The The Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic, Inc. (AIRD) was created with the objective of promoting the industrialization of the country and represent and defend the interests of Dominican industry, contributing significantly to the well-being of the nation through the creation of jobs, the generation of revenue for the State and the transfer of knowledge. It is the largest and most important of the Dominican Republic industrial business groups, representing a large number of industrial, regional and sector associations, which makes it in the association with the highest level of representation of the Dominican industrial sector. For the website, please go to: www.portalindustrial.net/index.php#
For the “Dominican Today” online article titled “Dominican Republic must promote greater use of construction waste”, please go to: https://dominicantoday.com/dr/economy/2020/12/04/dominican-republic-must-promote-greater-use-of-construction-waste/.