Giving construction waste a second life

Malta recycled approximately 1.25 million tonnes of mineral construction and demolition waste in 2024. During the same year, another 1.04 million tonnes was used for backfilling in quarries.

Both constitute forms of waste recovery, but they serve different purposes. While backfilling uses suitable material to restore excavated areas, recycling creates opportunities to process recovered waste into materials that can be used again.

According to the National Statistics Office, recycling of mineral construction and demolition waste declined by 13.6% in 2024, while backfilling increased by 58%.

These developments warrant closer consideration, particularly when examining how Malta can strengthen the commercial viability of recycled construction materials.

The Malta Chamber’s Pre-Budget Document 2027, Reset & Lead, addresses this opportunity through several proposals aimed at improving material recovery, establishing quality standards and supporting the development of secondary markets.

An important starting point is how construction and demolition waste is handled on site.

Materials that are properly classified and separated are generally easier to recover and process than mixed waste. The Malta Chamber therefore proposes stronger requirements for waste classification and separation at source, alongside greater emphasis on dismantling rather than demolition where this would improve the recovery of materials.

These requirements should be supported by clear technical guidance, contractor training and appropriate waste-tracking systems. Effective recovery must be considered from the outset of a project rather than addressed only once demolition works have been completed.

Equally important is ensuring that recovered materials meet the standards expected by the construction industry. Recycled aggregates and other secondary construction products must be suitable for their intended applications, supported by appropriate testing, certification and quality assurance.

For contractors, architects and developers, confidence in material performance is essential. Establishing clear technical requirements would provide greater certainty when specifying recycled products, while ensuring that circular construction does not come at the expense of safety, durability or building quality.

However, improving material recovery and certification will achieve little without sufficient market demand.

The Malta Chamber therefore proposes the development of secondary markets for construction and demolition waste, including minimum requirements for reused or locally recycled materials.

Public procurement can support this transition by introducing recycled-content requirements in public projects where technically feasible, helping establish demand while maintaining appropriate quality standards.

The financial implications for businesses must also be recognised. Recycling infrastructure, material processing, testing and certification all require investment. In this regard, the pre-budget document calls for targeted grants, fiscal incentives and research funding to support construction and demolition waste recovery. This ensures that circular construction becomes a viable commercial opportunity rather than simply another regulatory obligation.

Another proposal involves conducting a national industrial material flow assessment and establishing a digital by-product exchange platform. Such an initiative could help identify reusable materials across different industries and facilitate connections between businesses generating these materials and potential users.

Ultimately, successful implementation will require coordination between regulators, construction operators, recyclers, designers and prospective buyers. Any new requirements must be technically justified, proportionate and accompanied by the necessary guidance and support.

Malta already processes substantial quantities of construction and demolition waste. The next opportunity lies in strengthening the conditions under which recovered materials can reliably return to the market.

By combining effective recovery practices, recognised quality standards and commercially viable demand, Malta can make better use of existing resources while creating new opportunities for businesses operating within the construction sector.