Turning waste into a resource is a way to increase resource use efficiency and close the material loop of a circular economy. Gypsum plasterboard is well suited for this, because the raw material calcium sulphate dihydrate (CaSO 4 •2H 2 O) can repeatedly change its properties through a reversible hydration reaction. The waste hierarchy is applied when plasterboard is recycled instead of landfilled, which contributes to the European 2020 target of 70% recovery of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, as defined in the Directive 2008/98/EC on Waste. This paper evaluates the energy and climate impacts of different levels of plasterboard recycling. First we formulate a life cycle model of gypsum mass flows in the European Union (EU-27) in the reference year 2013. This model constitutes the basis of the quantitative scenario analysis. Secondly we assess the material flows, energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in different recycling scenarios. We compare the current situation (-2013 base case‖) to two scenarios: a worst case scenario of 0% recycled gypsum (-Zero recycling case‖), and a best case scenario of zero gypsum waste sent to landfill, corresponding to 18.7% recycled gypsum in new plasterboard (-High recycling case‖). We find no significant variation between scenarios in terms of life cycle energy use, as lower impacts from gypsum mining, transport of natural gypsum and final disposal in the best case scenario are balanced by the energy for the transport of plasterboard waste and recycled gypsum and for material pre-processing during manufacturing. In contrast, life cycle GHG emissions are lower as recycling increases, largely driven by the degradation of plasterboard lining paper in landfills.

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Industrial production of pipe foam insulation generates huge volumes of scrap material, driving to a serious environmental problem. This research studies the potential of adding different size particle proportions of this waste rubber to a plaster matrix. For this purpose, an experimental plan has been elaborated which characterizes the physical and mechanical behavior of the new composite: Shore C hardness, flexure and compressive strength. Furthermore, different particle sizes, weight rates and water/plaster ratios have been analyzed. In view of the results this waste rubber could be incorporated in gypsum based composites forming part of new lightweight products. KeywordsGypsum plaster, waste rubber recovering, mechanical properties, lightweight composite. Highlights-A lightweight composite is obtained with the addition of waste rubber to gypsum -There is physical compatibility between gypsum and pipe foam insulation waste rubber -This composite can be part of the core of plasterboards used in construction. -Mechanical strength decreases with an increase in waste rubber addition -Samples' flexural strengths with different waste proportions fulfill EN Standards.