Materialegenanvendelse

Materialegenanvendelse refers to the processes and practices that keep materials in use for as long as possible, reducing the need for virgin resource extraction and minimizing waste. It encompasses both the reuse of whole components and products, as well as the recycling and upgrading of materials into new usable forms. The concept is central to the circular economy, where the aim is to retain material value and close material loops.

The main methods include reuse and refurbishing of components, mechanical recycling where materials are sorted, cleaned, and reprocessed into secondary raw materials, and chemical recycling for plastics where polymer chains are broken down to enable new plastic production. In construction, concrete and brick often undergo processing to create recycled aggregates; metals are melted and remanufactured; glass and wood can be repurposed or upgraded for new applications. Packaging and textiles are also common targets for material regeneration.

Benefits of materialegenanvendelse include reduced environmental impact, lower energy consumption compared with virgin material production, conservation of natural resources, and potential economic gains from new markets for secondary materials. It can also decrease waste generation and support energy security and local jobs. However, challenges persist, such as contamination, sorting complexity, quality variability of recycled materials, and economic factors like capital costs and market demand. Regulatory frameworks, standards, and product design for circularity are important to enable higher recycling rates and safer reuse.

Examples include recycled concrete aggregates in road and building projects, metal recycling from end-of-life products, and packaging made from high-requality recycled plastics. Policy instruments and public procurement can accelerate adoption and innovation in materialegenanvendelse.