What the law requires, when it is mandatory, and what machines make the process compliant and efficient
Selective demolition is now much more than a good shipbuilding practice: it is a regulatory requirement for most demolition operations in Italy and Europe. Yet many operators and companies in the sector do not know precisely the limits of application, the categories of materials to be separated and the penalties for noncompliance.
In this article, we shed light on the current regulatory framework and the equipment to comply with it efficiently, reducing disposal costs and maximizing material recovery.
Legal note. The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For the correct application of the regulations to your specific case, it is always advisable to consult a licensed professional (geologist, environmental engineer, HSE consultant).
What is selective demolition
Selective demolition, or selective demolition, is the technique of demolishing a building structure by separating the different waste streams already during demolition operations, rather than disposing of everything together as mixed undifferentiated waste.
| Traditional demolition | Selective demolition | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Global structure abatement | Phased abatement with separation of materials |
| Waste Management | Mixed waste sent to landfill | Flows sent for recovery or recycling |
| Disposal costs | High | Significant reduction |
| Material recovery | Limited or nil | Economic recovery from resalable materials |
| Environmental impact | Major | Reduced |
| Regulatory compliance | Not always compliant | Complies with Legislative Decree 152/06 and EU regulations |
The legal framework: Legislative Decree 152/06 and EU Regulation
In Italy, the main regulatory reference is Legislative Decree No. 152 of April 3, 2006, known as the Consolidated Environmental Act (TUA), which transposes European waste directives and establishes principles for the management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
Legislative Decree 152/2006 – Consolidated Environmental Act. Part IV, Title I: establishes C&D waste recovery targets and mandates stream separation at worksites above certain size thresholds. Supplemented by DM 69/2018 on End of Waste for aggregates.
At the European level, EU Regulation 305/2011 (Construction Products Regulation) imposes sustainability requirements for construction materials, encouraging reuse and recycling. Directive 2008/98/EC (Waste Framework Directive), transposed by the TUA, sets a target of 70 percent recovery by weight for C&D waste by 2020, a goal already achieved in many EU countries but still uneven at the regional level in Italy.
DM 69/2018 and the End of Waste regime.
Ministerial Decree No. 69 of October 11, 2018 regulates the termination of waste status(End of Waste) for inert construction and demolition waste. It allows operators to subject aggregates to treatment and market them as secondary raw materials, provided they meet precise quality criteria and are properly documented. This scheme has opened up a significant market for on-site recycling of aggregates.
When selective demolition is mandatory
The national legislation does not set a single, equal volumetric or size threshold for all construction sites: the selective demolition requirement applies in cases where C&D waste management is subject to the provisions of the TUA, i.e., in virtually all construction sites that produce waste above the minimum temporary storage thresholds.
| Scenario | Obligation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total demolition of building | Yes, always | All streams must be classified and separated (EWC codes 17.xx) |
| Partial demolition (renovation) | Yes, if it produces C&D waste | Even minor interventions generate classification obligations |
| Construction sites with the presence of asbestos | Yes, with specific procedure | Obligation of preventive remediation (Legislative Decree 81/08 and Ministerial Decree September 6, 1994) |
| Buildings constructed before 1991 | Mandatory asbestos testing | Obligation to survey before demolition begins |
| Demolition in protected area or historical center | Yes, with additional prescriptions | Local regulations may impose more restrictive requirements |
Table 1 – Main scenarios of mandatory application of selective demolition.
Which materials must be compulsorily separated
The TUA and the relevant technical standards identify the main categories of C&D waste that must be managed separately. Each has a specific EWC code that determines its mode of disposal or recovery.
| Category | EWC Code | Recovery Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete and bricks | 17.01 | High recovery rate as recycled aggregate for subgrades and embankments |
| Ferrous and nonferrous metals | 17.04 | Iron, steel, aluminum, copper: high market value, priority start to scrapping |
| Wood | 17.02.01 | Recoverable if not treated with hazardous substances (paints, impregnants) |
| Glass | 17.02.02 | Send for recycling; mandatory separation from aggregate stream |
| Plastics | 17.02.03 | Pipes, fixtures, insulators: separation and sending for recovery or dedicated disposal |
| Hazardous waste | 17.xx.xx * | Asbestos, lead, PCBs: mandatory separate management with licensed operators |
* Codes with asterisks identify hazardous waste: exclusive entrustment to operators registered with the National Register of Environmental Managers.
Equipment for efficient selective demolition
Selective demolition requires a top-down phased approach: first the removal of nonstructural elements and hazardous waste (asbestos, plants), then the progressive dismantling of the structure with contextual stream separation. Each phase requires specific equipment.
| Operational phase | Recommended equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition of reinforced concrete structures | Demolition Plier / Crusher | Rapid separation between concrete and metal reinforcement |
| Cutting metal structures | Hydraulic Shear | Reduction into pieces suitable for transportation to start scrapping |
| Debris sorting and handling | Sorting Grab / Grapple | Sorting of material by flow on the demolition pile |
| Inert volumetric reduction | Jaw crusher | Production of recycled aggregate with controlled size |
| Residual metal separation | Magnetic bucket separator | Extraction of metal residues from the crushed aggregate |
| Screening and classification | Screening bucket | Separation by size for startup to different recovery channels |
Table 2 – Excavator equipment recommended at different stages of selective demolition.
The use of hydraulic excavator equipment in selective demolition offers a decisive advantage: the same machine can be equipped with different attachments during the same workday, switching from the demolition grapple to the Sorting Grab, lowering costs compared to using specialized machines dedicated to each function.
Frequently asked questions about selective demolition
What are the penalties for those who do not comply with the selective demolition requirement?
Legislative Decree 152/06 provides administrative and, in the most serious cases, criminal penalties for the illegal management of C&D waste. Penalties range from a simple fine to suspension of activity to criminal prosecution in cases of abandonment or unauthorized disposal of hazardous waste. Liability falls on the producer of the waste (the demolition company) and the developer who failed to verify proper management.
Does selective demolition cost more than traditional demolition?
In the short run, operating costs are slightly higher. In the medium term, however, selective demolition yields significant savings: landfill disposal costs are dramatically lowered by separating recoverable streams, and materials such as metals and treated aggregates can generate revenue from resale. At many sites, the operation is already cost-effective in the short term.
Is a Waste Management Plan required before starting demolition?
For larger construction sites or for work on buildings with potential presence of hazardous substances (asbestos, lead, PCBs), the preparation of a Waste Management Plan (WMP) prior to the start of work is strongly recommended and, in some local regulatory contexts, mandatory. The PGR identifies expected waste streams, separation methods, applicable EWC codes, and authorized operators for recovery or disposal.
Can recycled aggregates from selective demolition be reused on the construction site?
Yes, but with specific conditions. DM 69/2018 regulates the End of Waste regime for aggregates: if the material is treated according to the technical specifications of the decree (crushing, screening, release test), it loses its waste status and can be marketed as recycled aggregate for uses in road subgrades, embankments and non-structural concrete. Direct on-site reuse without treatment is allowed only in specific cases and with precise documentation.
Do you have a demolition site that needs to be equipped? The CMB technical team supports you in choosing the right equipment for each stage of selective demolition: from the demolition grapple to the shear, from the grapple to the crusher. Request a consultation or discover the CMB Demolition line.