ACADEMIA Letters

PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF

CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED
SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS
Patricia Sousa Marques, PUC GOIÁS
Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, UFG

Abstract
Recycling and reuse are solutions that reduce the volume of waste that is daily destined to san-
itary landfills. It is necessary to plan and use tools such as management to harmonize time,
wear, and amount of material. Moreover, there is a need to organize how and when the steps
will be divided, as well as the functions of each one in the recycling processes, especially in the
classification of materials to be used in earthworks, road coverings, and erosion prevention.
This study addresses the impact of waste on natural ecosystems by promoting greater ease
in the manufacturing of soil-cement blocks with the incorporation of construction waste and
reusing them in several stages in the execution of engineering, architectural and urban projects
as a way to harness various types of waste generated by construction. In order to build with
more awareness and sustainability, and also to get a product through the waste aggregated to
compacted soil-cement blocks, there is a need for recyclers, grinders and recycling plants. We
seek to promote this product’s contribution for the local budget, sustainable production, and
citizenship.

Keywords: Construction, Soil-cement blocks, Waste

Academia Letters, August 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, fabiolla_lima@ufg.br

Citation: Marques, P.S., Ferreira Lima, F.X.R. (2021). PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF
CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS. Academia Letters, Article 2741.
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL2741.
1
Introduction
The world scenario is witness to the paradigm between an erosive capitalist civilization filled
with consumerist habits and the wave of awareness and mobilization in favor of initiatives that
seek the protection and recovery of the natural environment.
Sustainability is in vogue in various areas and occupations. Events, conferences, con-
gresses, and meetings aim to dialogue and promote knowledge exchange in favor of ecology
and sustainability.
According to Peco (2013), the purpose of the Pan-American Biennial of Architecture, in
Quito, was to explore the challenge of generating architecture that solves instead of causing
imbalances, to emphasize the idea of having an awareness of natural resources as scarce goods
and to encourage reuse. This would result in an architecture focused on people’s needs and in
accordance with the identity of the place itself by skillfully using local materials.
Architecture, like other scientific fields, has been given the responsibility of being more
sustainable. One way to achieve this is to think about the design process from the beginning
of a construction and act in the work process to prevent waste from harming the ecosystem.
Preventing waste disposal in clandestine or environmental protection sites is environmen-
tally beneficial and a necessary action. Furthermore, not only is it necessary to alert and
raise awareness of the bodies, companies, and workers involved in the field, but also to de-
velop interconnected action plans based on the recycling cycle. A responsible worker builds
with consciousness, strives to adopt the materials derived from the recycling of constructive
residues, is aware of their origin, quality, composition, final destination, and gets involved in
the creation and use of alternative sources.
Through the reuse of waste generated in the construction industry, we can avoid pollution
of aquatic environments and soil contamination and increase of sanitary landfills disposals.
Construction and demolition waste have granular features that offer greater strength; there
are numerous benefits from rearranging and reintroducing waste into the production cycle. In
Goiás, Brazil, those responsible for the collection of waste wish to reuse it either through
post-collection in the construction site, or via processes such as a recycling plant. However,
they are unaware of the procedures that must be taken.
In this study, we intend to analyze and develop the theory and practice of reuse of civil
construction waste, which prevents disposal into the natural environment and influence fauna
and flora. The goal is to act in a sustainable way since the conception of the architectural
or urban planning project. We must incorporate and assign a plan of ecological actions that
starts in the cleaning of the land, demolition, and foundation build. Additionally, we highly
encourage a planned destination for waste generated in small and large buildings, that is, a

Academia Letters, August 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, fabiolla_lima@ufg.br

Citation: Marques, P.S., Ferreira Lima, F.X.R. (2021). PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF
CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS. Academia Letters, Article 2741.
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL2741.
2
place where waste is transformed into composition for compacted soil-cement blocks.
As a result of this, we seek to draw attention to the benefits of machinery for recycling,
aggregate breakdown, and high-resistance material crushing. This would encourage solutions
for waste recycling plants to become a more profitable alternative and a socially conscious way
of achieving financial returns. We also point out that this would contribute to an easier way of
manufacturing blocks on site, turning block manufacturing and the project into one process
which is not only efficient but also favorable to environment protection.

Literature review
The first records on the reuse of mineral residues from the civil construction of new buildings
originate from antiquity. In 1928, new studies analyzed characteristics of aggregates from
crushed masonry and concrete, such as cement consumption, water quantity and granulometry
(LEVY, 1995).
The first considerable use of rubble was recorded after World War II in the reconstruction
of European cities, where many historic buildings were completely demolished. Later, in
1946, the technology for recycling construction rubble began to be developed. Nations such
as Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany, among others,
have already considered the need to recycle construction leftovers, and continue to research
in order to achieve a degree of standardization of the procedures for obtaining aggregates
(LEVY, 1995).
The rubble aggregates present technical and economic conditions to be widely used in
several urban works, providing a solution for landfills and generating resources for housing
construction. In fact, in Brazil, the lack of housing, mainly of quality, requires a constant
search for alternative construction methods, generating the development of new concepts and
innovative construction processes (LIMA, 2014).
International recommendations for waste management were established by Agenda 21 of
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, known as the “Waste Hi-
erarchy”. And, according to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), construction waste
management consists of the transfer or redirection of construction materials, renovation, de-
molition and deconstruction to the manufacturing, donation and reuse cycle. Although con-
struction and demolition waste management is the responsibility of the construction company,
municipal and state agencies, as well as the project team, are involved (HENDRIKS et al.,
2007).
In practice, construction waste is separated into categories and subcategories that meet the
acceptability criteria of recycling plants. It is always preferable to separate on site because it

Academia Letters, August 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, fabiolla_lima@ufg.br

Citation: Marques, P.S., Ferreira Lima, F.X.R. (2021). PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF
CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS. Academia Letters, Article 2741.
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL2741.
3
reduces the possibility of cross-contamination between materials (HENDRIKS et al., 2007).
The National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) was instituted by Federal Law No. 12,305, of
August 2010. According to the law, waste management must always be implemented in an
integrated manner, covering all stages and all waste. In addition, the political, economic,
environmental, cultural and social dimensions must be considered, under social control and
with a view to sustainable development. The law aims to encourage the recycling industry to
promote the use of raw materials and inputs derived from recyclable and recycled materials,
and with regard to the issue of granting tax incentives and benefits, Complementary Law No.
101/2000 - Fiscal Responsibility Law provides for the possibility of granting tax, financial or
credit incentives to industries and entities dedicated to the reuse, treatment and recycling of
waste (SILVA FILHO, 2012).
A modern and sustainable concept of waste management would result in a new culture,
which would establish a relationship between government and community to promote the
participation of the civilian population, organized through partnerships and social education
projects (LIMA, 2014).
The NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL (CONAMA) is responsible for estab-
lishing measures to minimize the environmental impact of solid waste, such as guidelines,
criteria and procedures.
According to Benvenuto (2009), instead of disposal in landfills, CONAMA resolution
307/02 recommended the reuse and recycling of waste, demonstrating that solid waste could
be reused instead of being discarded, as long as it is separated and classified.
One issue that must be addressed is the transport of construction waste to a recycling plant.
It is necessary to account for gas emissions due to transport to observe the extent to which
pollution affects the entire process. Ângulo (2009) states that transportation is also linked to
the economic sustainability of a recycling plant and his study points out that the manufacture
of a cheaper aggregate depends much more on logistics than on the technology used.
The main consequences of urban drainage done by a poor management of solid residues
are silting of rainwater drainage systems; contamination of rivers and city drainage systems;
obstruction of retaining systems; and urban drainage dampening.
A modern perspective, involving planning for integrated actions of water supply, sewage,
urban cleaning, solid waste management, urban drainage, river flood control, transportation,
and environmental conservation, is recommended.
Ceramic blocks are produced from clay, usually placed in rectangular shapes, and then
burned in large wood-fired ovens. They are widely adopted in civil construction, in enter-
prises of all social classes, due to their price and the ease in which they can be manufac-
tured and purchased. According to Carneiro et al. (2001), walls constructed with pressed

Academia Letters, August 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, fabiolla_lima@ufg.br

Citation: Marques, P.S., Ferreira Lima, F.X.R. (2021). PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF
CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS. Academia Letters, Article 2741.
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL2741.
4
soil-cement bricks have thermal behavior and durability equivalent to those constructed with
ceramic bricks or blocks.
According to Carrillo et al. (2012), rain, wind, fire, or termites do not affect a well-
constructed compacted earth wall. In addition, it is not aggressive to the environment, since
it is considered a constructive system with built-in energy.

Methodology
The methodology consisted in studying texts, such as theses, documents, scientific studies,
journals, dissertations, as well as analyzing personal reports, from a historical perspective.
For these activities, we required a place to store the collected material and install stationary
equipment, such as grinders, conveyor belts, sieves, among others. This space must also have
an entrance and exit for trucks and allow noise pollution generated by the recycling. Soil and
rubble residues, which are obtained through soil collectors, are among the elements used.
As for the means of obtaining a product through rubble and aggregating it to compacted
earth blocks, there are recyclers, grinders, and a recycling plant for construction waste (Figure
1).

Academia Letters, August 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, fabiolla_lima@ufg.br

Citation: Marques, P.S., Ferreira Lima, F.X.R. (2021). PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF
CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS. Academia Letters, Article 2741.
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL2741.
5
Figure 1 - Inappropriate disposal, recycling plant, rubble brick and construction made with
rubble brick.

In the formation process of soil-cement bricks, the residues collected in buildings pass
through a grinder, are mixed with the cement, and after water is added, become compacted.
The combining ground rubble powder with cement and water, can replace and/or reduce the
use of sand, as mortar. Recycled blocks reduce one of the harmful effects of conventional
constructions, as what is left is collected and reinserted in the production of new blocks that
return to construction, in a cicle.
Compacted earth soil-cement blocks are produced via manual or hydraulic press. After
pressed, are placed in storage, where it is periodically wetted for a week to be cured properly
(LIMA, 2014).
The blocks aim at sustainability, as it is composed with compacted earth with a minimum
percentage of 10 to 20% of cement.
The planning and management method to facilitate block manufacturing should primarily
be based on high standards at production system, to legislation and knowledge that contribute
of correct practices and actions during collection, transportation, transshipment, treatment
and final disposal. There also should be separation of construction and demolition residues,

Academia Letters, August 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, fabiolla_lima@ufg.br

Citation: Marques, P.S., Ferreira Lima, F.X.R. (2021). PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF
CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS. Academia Letters, Article 2741.
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL2741.
6
allowing reuse of class A ones, such as masonry, mortars, concrete, and soil.
Management determines how the separation of civil construction waste takes place, in-
dicates the process for its reuse, classifying the thinnest materials, such as sand and mortar
for use in counter-floorings, slab leveling, and masonry, and the thickest part to landings,
covering of roads, and erosion prevention.

Results
Blocks of recycled materials also lack improvement. Those destined for paving and masonry,
for example, obey the norms and rules, and Junior (2014) points out that it is difficult to comply
with regulations without affecting the final price of the block. The ideal is to have people who
produce this type of brick having in mind the cost/benefit relation for both manufacturer and
consumer.
Hence, society’s conduct is one of the main obstacles to solid waste management. Another
challenge is to mobilize the population to recycle and separate the materials at the construction
site.
In a survey carried out in Goiânia-GO we did not find any buildings made of compacted
soil-cement blocks. However, we identified some in rural areas, as well as a few units in
Brasília-DF.

Conclusion
In projects, it is necessary to adopt materials that lessen environmental harm, and to take
note of the type of raw material used for the product-making, manufacturing process and the
benefits that will be obtained.
By reusing rubble, everyone wins because there is a financial economy. Besides provid-
ing subsistence for many people who survive on recycling, many materials will no longer be
extracted from nature.
There must be projects to raise awareness and cost reduction in construction, not only ben-
eficial to those who implement it, but also to the entire community due to the encouragement
of positive perspectives on reusing and recycling waste.

Academia Letters, August 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, fabiolla_lima@ufg.br

Citation: Marques, P.S., Ferreira Lima, F.X.R. (2021). PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF
CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS. Academia Letters, Article 2741.
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL2741.
7
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Academia Letters, August 2021 ©2021 by the authors — Open Access — Distributed under CC BY 4.0

Corresponding Author: Fabíolla Xavier Rocha Ferreira Lima, fabiolla_lima@ufg.br

Citation: Marques, P.S., Ferreira Lima, F.X.R. (2021). PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR REUSE OF
CONSTRUCTION WASTE IN COMPACTED SOIL-CEMENT BLOCKS. Academia Letters, Article 2741.
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL2741.
8