Plastics in construction: a Norwegian perspective
Some of the first plastics were synthesized as early as 1870. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the global plastic industry began to take shape with production rapidly growing, a trend that has continued unabated. At this time, Norway, like many other countries, began to incorporate plastics into construction materials (see diagram). The use of plastic products in the building and construction sector has evolved from a few products and options in the 1950s, to becoming more common during the 1970s. Since then, the amount of plastic used within the construction industry have grown exponentially.
In Norway, the construction sector is the second-largest end-use market for plastics, following packaging. In 2022, an estimated 180 000 tonnes of plastic were introduced into the Norwegian construction sectori. In contrast, this sector currently generates the least amount of plastic waste, producing 19 000 tonnes in 2020. This is largely due to the long lifetime of plastics in use, which is on average approximately 35 years. However, it is expected that by 2040, the Norwegian construction sector will generate an estimated 130 000 tonnes of plastic waste, meaning a nearly seven-fold increase relative to 2020.ii
According to a 2023 reportii, “Achieving circularity for durable plastics – A low-emissions circular plastic economy in Norway” (prepared by Systemiq, HMF and Mepex), the most commonly used plastics in the Norwegian construction and building sector are EPS (expanded polystyrene) at approximately 32%, followed by PVC (polyvinyl chloride) at around 23%, and PE (polyethylene) at about 21% of the total plastic volume.
EPS and PVC were the primary plastics introduced to the Norwegian construction market in 2020, and they are also the most separately collected for recycling, both domestically and abroad, a trend which is expected to continue until 2050. However, the amounts (kt/year) of separately collected plastics for recycling are significantly lower than the amount entering the market, with approximately 60% remaining in buildings and the construction sector .
The current Norwegian waste-management system is underprepared to handle the large accumulation of in-stock plastic, which reached 2.7 million tonnes in 2020. This accumulation is driven by rapid growth in plastic demand and long product lifespans (e.g., below-ground plastic pipes). Consequently, this could lead to a significant increase in disposal processes, such as incineration, and unacceptable levels of greenhouse gases (GHG).
Currently, it is estimated that less than 1% of the construction and demolition waste volume is plastic. And this low volume of plastic waste is one of the main barriers for plastic circularity in the construction industry, along with economic and logistical challenges associated with plastic waste separate collection and limited on-site sorting. It is estimated that only 13% of plastics from this sector are currently recycled. According to the 2023 Systemiq, HMF and Mepex reportii "the single most impactful lever to increase plastic circularity is maximizing on-site sorting of plastics to enable separate collection".
In addition, the presence of legacy additives and substances of concern in plastics (e.g., brominated flame retardants) from the construction and demolition sector are another barrier to circularity, as these materials cannot be recycled or put back on the market.
At present, there is limited policy focus on construction plastics, with no mandatory requirements for their separate collection or recycling. This lack of focus stems from the low volume of plastics waste generated by this sector and the relatively low costs associated with disposal and incineration.ii
Voluntary initiatives such as the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, which sets standards for building materials, on-site sorting and demolition best practices is one example of an initiative that though relevant is poorly subscribed to. However, changes in the handling of plastic waste in this sector are expected soon, driven by new requirements from the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and Norway’s national plastics strategyii. It is anticipated that the buildings of the future will be designed for easier dismantling and recycling of all materials, including plastics, in support of a circular economy.
i Mikkelborg, E. L., Wærner, E., Marthinsen, J., Hagen, R., Are, K. G. (2023) Plastgjenvinning i bygg og anlegg i et sirkulært perspektiv, National handlingsplan for bygg-og anlegsavfall, Multiconsult, Mepex, Handelens Miljøfond, p.80.
ii Systemiq, HMF and Mepex report 1 (2023) Achieving circularity for durable plastics - A low-emissions circular plastic economy in Norway.
iii Abbasi G., Hauser M., Baldé C. P., Bouman E. A. (2023) A high-resolution dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis of seven plastic polymers; A case study of Norway, Environment International, Volume 172, 107693.