Circular Economy Strategy in the Construction Sector: The Use of Recycle Aggregates in the Sardinian Island

The recycling of concrete debris to obtain coarse recycled aggregates for structural concrete production represents a model of circular economy in the construction sector. It reduces landfill waste and raw material exploitation. In this applied research, the recycled aggregate, obtained from construction and demolition waste, was used in partial replacement of coarse natural aggregate in structural concrete. The analysis concerns two case studies: production process, and failure mechanism of precast reinforced concrete foundation made with coarse recycled concrete aggregate; method to estimate the demand of recycled aggregates in urban planning in three towns (Calasetta, Carloforte and Portoscuso) in southern Sardinia Island, for new construction, building refurbishment, cycle track, and pedestrian path. In this context, the circular economy model is the best practice to achieve the sustainable development of the construction sector. The applied research offers an important contribution to the management plan of construction and demolition waste in Sardinia Island.