Il vetro piano: potenziale inespresso di un rifiuto da costruzione e demolizione

This contribution is developed within the Ph.D. course conducted by the author at the Department of Architecture of the University of Roma Tre. The research has as its focus the development of new mix designs through the use of recycled glass, as a secondary raw material, to replace classic fine aggregates of stone origin. The measures implemented on a global scale, starting from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the European Green deal, have highlighted how much the construction sector, throughout its supply chain, contributes significant percentages in harmful gas emissions. In particular, recent studies on the state of conservation of Europe’s building stock have shown how it is one of the most energy-intensive sectors of the entire industry, in relation to the years of construction. These aspects will necessarily condition the strategic choices that will have to be made in this sector, with particular reference to interventions aimed at the energy efficiency of the building heritage of the 20th century. The results that, as a consequence of these actions, will lead this heritage to a lower demand for energy and a lower emission of harmful gases will, at the same time, contribute to an increase in Construction and Demolition waste. This contribution, given these predictions, will evaluate, with particular reference to glass as a secondary raw material from windows and doors, the possibility of its reuse for new mix designs in a circular economy perspective.