"Green development” solutions in construction sector

Rapid urbanization and infrastructure expansion in Dong Nai Province have led to a sharp increase in construction and demolition waste (often known as rubble), posing growing environmental challenges. In response, an enterprise in the province has recently partnered with a foreign corporation to apply advanced recycling technology to turn such waste into reusable construction materials.

Waste from construction demolition activities in Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park. Photo: Hoang Loc

If implemented effectively, the initiative is expected to reduce environmental pressure, conserve natural resources and contribute to promoting green development in the construction and urban sectors.

Recycling construction waste for reuse

In Dong Nai and many other localities nationwide, construction waste has long been primarily collected and disposed of by landfilling or dumping, which is both wasteful and poses many potential risks to the environment. Meanwhile, this type of waste can certainly become a valuable source of recycled materials for conventional construction projects.

Recognizing this potential, Quoc Hang Trading and Services Co., Ltd. (in Trang Dai ward, Dong Nai province) has collaborated with Wirtgen Group (Federal Republic of Germany) to explore technological solutions for recycling construction debris. The two sides have conducted field surveys and held panel discussions, agreeing to initially implement recycling activities during the demolition of Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Park, which is currently undergoing functional transformation. The model is expected to be expanded to other projects across the province and nationwide.

Ho Ngoc Quoc, Director of Quoc Hang Trading and Service Co., Ltd., stated: Solid waste from construction demolition activities, if not managed and processed according to regulations, will cause great pressure on the environment and natural resources. However, with the research and application of appropriate technologies, this waste source can become recycled material for infrastructure projects.

“Recycling not only helps reduce the amount of waste requiring treatment but also saves mineral resources, reduces emissions, and promotes a circular economy model in the construction industry,” Quoc shared.

Quoc hoped that after recycling, the waste can be used as backfill material for the purpose of converting industrial park functions, laying foundation for construction projects, and making paving bricks. This helps reduce the demand for natural mineral extraction, which is already under pressure due to increasing construction demand.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Lan, from the University of Transport and Communications, expressed: Rapid urbanization leads to an increasing volume of waste from construction and demolition activities. However, in many places, the collection and treatment of this type of waste are still not carried out according to regulations, leading to the risk of environmental pollution. Recycling and reusing construction waste is an important solution to reduce environmental pressure and save natural resources. In the long run, transforming waste into secondary resources will contribute to forming a sustainable waste management model.

The recycling technology introduced by Wirtgen Group in coordination with enterprises in Dong Nai utilizes mobile crushing equipment such as the MR 100 NEO/NEOe system. The process involves receiving construction waste, performing primary and secondary crushing to achieve desired sizes, removing metals and impurities, and screening the materials for reuse in brick production or on-site backfilling.

Contributing to the net-zero goal

Clive McKeown, Regional Director for Asia of Wirtgen Group, the unit introducing the technology solution for treating and recycling waste from project demolition activities, said if the correct process and appropriate technology are applied, recycling construction waste will bring many benefits. Clive McKeown added that countries such as Germany, Japan, and China have applied this waste recycling method, demonstrating its effectiveness. Typically, after each earthquake, when old apartment buildings need to be demolished and road surfaces improved, they bring machinery to the site to crush the waste for direct reuse as backfill material, to create raw materials for brick production, or to pour concrete blocks. Thanks to this, materials do not need to be transported to disposal sites or recycling plants, significantly reducing transportation costs, saving construction time, and decreasing emissions from transport vehicles.

"On-site recycling helps reduce the number of trucks entering and exiting the construction site, lower fuel consumption, and provide an additional source of materials for new projects. This is an environmentally friendly solution that brings clear economic benefits," said McKeown.

According to a representative from the Department of Industry and Trade, Dong Nai is implementing numerous major infrastructure projects while demand for civil construction is gradually growing. Recycling construction waste into backfill materials, paving bricks or concrete products could significantly reduce pressure on mineral exploitation, while also opening opportunities for a recycled construction materials industry. This is a field that many countries worldwide are interested in during the transition to a green and circular economy.

Notably, Dong Nai Province is working toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with construction identified as one of seven priority sectors. Alongside developing environmentally friendly and climate-resilient buildings, recycling construction waste is expected to play a key role in addressing environmental challenges and advancing the province’s green development goals.

Director of Quoc Hang Trading and Service Co., Ltd. Ho Ngoc Quoc expressed confidence that applying international technology in Dong Nai would pave the way for a greener construction sector, one that is resource-efficient, environmentally friendly and aligned with sustainable development objectives. When scaled up, this could become one of the important solutions to help the province move closer to its goals of sustainable development and emission reduction.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha