Advancing the Circular Economy through Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Disaster Risk-Informed Practice: Comparative Insights from Serbia and the European Union
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18485/fb_ijcss.2025.1.2.4Keywords:
circular economy, waste, resource efficiency, waste management, recycling, environmental protection, sustainable development, disaster risk management, resilience, Serbia, European UnionAbstract
Construction and demolition waste is a pivotal lever for operationalizing the circular economy in the built environment, yet implementation remains uneven across Europe. This study provides a comparative overview of Serbia and EU countries using harmonized survey data from the European Demolition Association. We analyze company profiles, revenue structures, and activity mixes across demolition, decontamination, and waste-management value chains. Serbia’s firms exhibit limited uptake of the circular economy: 69% report <25% of revenue from demolition activities, whereas 45% of EU firms derive >75% of revenue from demolition. In waste management (sorting/transport/recycling), 80% of Serbian companies earn <10% of revenue, compared with 33% in the EU; decontamination revenues show a similar gap (Serbia: 80% <10% vs. EU: 38% <10%). Although Serbian contractors show signs of maturation (50% medium and 13% significant by 2019 self-classification), activity remains concentrated outside high-value circular economy loops, and subcontracting shares remain skewed toward low-complexity segments. These findings suggest untapped potential for advancing the circular economy through targeted policy instruments (e.g., incentives for on-site sorting and secondary-materials markets), workforce training and certification, and digital traceability of construction and demolition waste flows. Strengthening these enablers could accelerate alignment with EU circular-economy objectives, reduce primary-resource use, and improve environmental and public-health outcomes in Serbia’s construction sector. Limitations include reliance on 2018 activity data and partial market coverage; future work should integrate newer waves and administrative datasets to track policy impacts over time.
Downloads
References
1. Al-Zrigat, Z. M. (2020). The emergency architecture: Reuse and recycle materials after disasters. Journal of Engineering and Technology for Industrial Applications, 6, 31–40. https://doi.org/10.5935/jetia.v6i26.688
2. Andrews, T., Rapp, R., Ewakil, E., Dietz, J. E., & Baroudi, S. (2022). Disaster response using the circular economy: A timeline review of the literature. Journal of Emergency Management, 20(4), 365–373. https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0645
3. Ayalew, N. A., & Lema, A. T. (2025). Conflict risk monitoring for conflict prevention in Ethiopia: The case of Ataye Town, North Shewa, Amhara Region. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 177–202.
4. Banias, G., Karkanias, C., Batsioula, M., Melas, L., Malamakis, A., Geroliolios, D., Spiliotis, X. (2022). Environmental assessment of alternative strategies for the management of construction and demolition waste: A life cycle approach. Sustainability, 14, 9674. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159674
5. Bastein, T., Roelofs, E., Rietveld, E., & Hoogendoorn, A. (2013). Opportunities for a circular economy in the Netherlands. TNO Report commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment.
6. Beli, A., Renner, R., Cvetković, V. M., Ivanov, A., & Gačić, J. (2025). A cross-national study of disaster risk management: Strengths and weaknesses in Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania with reflections on Serbia. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1).
7. Benachio, G. L. F., Freitas, M. D. C. D., & Tavares, S. F. (2020). Circular economy in the construction industry: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 260, 121046.
8. Bleus, H., & Crutzen, N. (2020). Sustainable business models for circular economy in urban ecosystem. Smart City Institute, Research Center. Retrieved from https://orbi.uliege.be/handle/2268/248459
9. Buchmann-Duck, J., & Beazley, F. K. (2020). An urgent call for circular economy advocates to acknowledge its limitations in conserving biodiversity. Science of the Total Environment, 727, 138602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138602
10. Cañete, R. M., Lisay, S. K., & Mahmud, M. N. S. (2025). Project DINGGIN: Empowering communities through risk-based and inclusive cash transfer in disaster-prone areas in Bangladesh and the Philippines. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 339–366.
11. Caro, D., Lodato, C., Damgaard, A., Cristóbal, J., Foster, G., Flachenecker, F., & Tonini, D. (2023). Environmental and socio-economic effects of construction and demolition waste recycling in the European Union. Science of the Total Environment, 168295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168295
12. Čepić, Z., Bošković, G., Ubavin, D., & Batinić, B. (2022). Waste-to-energy in transition countries: Case study of Belgrade (Serbia). Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 31(5).
13. Çetin, S., & Kirchherr, J. (2025). The Build Back Circular Framework: Circular economy strategies for post-disaster reconstruction and recovery. Circular Economy and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-024-00495-y
14. Cook, E., & Velis, C. (2020). Construction and demolition waste management: A systematic review of risks to occupational and public health. Open Science Framework (OSF). https://doi.org/10.31224/osf.io/5tpbz
15. Cook, E., Velis, C., & Black, L. (2022). Construction and demolition waste management: A systematic scoping review of risks to occupational and public health. Frontiers in Sustainability, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2022.924926
16. Culleri, J., & Series, C. (2013). Recycling: Technological systems, management practices and environmental impact. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 978-1-62618-284-4.
17. Cvetković, V. M. (2024). Disaster Resilience: Guide for Prevention, Response, and Recovery. Belgrade: Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management.
18. Cvetković, V. M., & Šišović, V. (2024). Understanding the Sustainable Development of Community (Social) Disaster Resilience in Serbia: Demographic and Socio-Economic Impacts. Sustainability, 16(7), 2620.
19. Cvetković, V. M., Aleksov, B., Renner, R., Gаčić, J., Ivanov, A., & Milašinović, S. (2023). Community-based disaster risk reduction: Overcoming barriers to build stronger communities. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 1.
20. Cvetković, V. M., Lipovac, M., Renner, R., Stanarević, S., & Raonić, Z. (2025). A Predictive Framework for Understanding Multidimensional Security Perceptions Among Students in Serbia: The Role of Institutional, Socio-Economic, and Demographic Determinants of Sustainability. Sustainability, 17(11), 5030.
21. Cvetković, V., & Filipović, M. (2017). Koncept otpornosti na katastrofe [Concept of disaster resilience]. Ecologica, 24(87), 557–563.
22. Cvetković, V., & Šišović, V. (2024a). Community disaster resilience in Serbia. Belgrade: Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management.
23. Cvetković, V., Bošković, N., & Ocal, A. (2021). Individual citizens' resilience to disasters caused by floods: A case study of Belgrade. 5th International Symposium on Natural Hazards and Disaster Management, Bursa Technical University, Bursa, Turkey, 24–25 October.
24. Dada, K. S. J., Mohammed, H. A., & Quadir, R. O. (2025). Disaster risk management in academic institutions: An assessment of preparedness and recovery at Kashim Ibrahim Library, Nigeria. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 1–15.
25. Dada, K. S. J., Mohammed, H. A., Mallam, D., & Ajayi, E. O. (2025). Security of information resources in Federal College of Education libraries in Northwest Nigeria. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 85–98.
26. Desalit, P., Duque, G. B., Edradan, T. M., Enciso, K. H., Enriquez, M. R., & Pan, W. K. M. (2025). Predictors of disaster response self-efficacy among adult residents in selected highly dense barangays in Tondo, Manila. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 301–312.
27. Du, L., Feng, Y., Lu, W., Lingkai, K., & Yang, Z. (2020). Evolutionary game analysis of stakeholders’ decision-making behaviours in construction and demolition waste management. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2020.106408
28. Eraković, Z., & Mladenović-Ranisavljević, I. (2019). Challenges of construction and demolition waste management in the southern Serbia region. Knowledge – International Journal, 35(3), 855–859.
29. European Commission. (2006). Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on implementation of the Community waste legislation (COM 2006, 406 final, Brussels). Retrieved from http://www.ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/reporting/index.htm
30. European Demolition Association (EDA). (2019a, October). Yearbook 2019. Retrieved from European Demolition Association database.
31. European Demolition Association (EDA). (2019b, October). Industry report 2019. Retrieved from European Demolition Association database.
32. European Parliament. (2022). Circular economy: Definition, importance and benefits. Retrieved November 29, 2022, from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/economy/20151201STO05603/circular-economy-definition-importance-and-benefits
33. Farhanrika, N. L., Sarpono, S., Kusuma, K., & Widodo, P. (2023). Advancing resilience and fostering sustainable development through strategic investments in cutting-edge technology and innovative methodologies for disaster risk reduction, as seen in Japan's experiences. International Journal of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v3i1.589
34. Franklin-Johnson, E., Figge, F., & Canning, L. (2016). Resource duration as a managerial indicator for circular economy performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 133, 589–598.
35. Gajović, A., & Ćurčić, S. (2016). The use of forest fruits as one of the factors of the quality of human life. In the 1st International Conference on Quality of Life (pp. 195–200). Center for Quality, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac. ISBN 978-86-6335-033-5.
36. Garba, T. M., & Akaan, R. (2025). The Socioeconomic and Psychological Implications of Polygamy: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis Concerning Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in Nigeria. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 25–34.
37. Garba, T. M., Amuka, I., & Akaan, R. (2025). Female gender empowerment, individualism, collectivism, and resilience: A comparative study in the context of disaster risk management. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 313–324.
38. Ghisellini, P., Ripa, M., & Ulgiati, S. (2018). Exploring environmental and economic costs and benefits of a circular economy approach to the construction and demolition sector: A literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 178, 618–643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.207
39. Ghosh, S. K. (2020). Circular economy: Global perspective. Singapore: Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1052-6
40. Govindan, K., & Hasanagic, M. (2018). A systematic review on drivers, barriers, and practices towards circular economy: A supply chain perspective. International Journal of Production Research, 56(1–2), 278–311. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1402141
41. Graf, J., Renner, R., and Klebel, T. (2025), Bridging Warning and Adaptation: Addressing Risk Communication Strategies for Short-Term Natural Hazard Warnings and Long-Term Risk Adaptation – A Scoping Review: Preprint.
42. Grozdanić, G., & Cvetković, V. M. (2024). Exploring multifaceted factors influencing community resilience to earthquake-induced geohazards: Insights from Montenegro. Belgrade: Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management.
43. Hauck M (2023) Zeitenwende im Wald: Klimawandelanpassung durch Ersatzbaumarten – eine langfristige Lösung? 2262 KB. https://doi.org/10.19217/NuL2023-11-04
44. Hossain, M. U., Ng, S. T., Antwi-Afari, P., & Amor, B. (2020). Circular economy and the construction industry: Existing trends, challenges, and a prospective framework for sustainable construction. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 130, 109948.
45. Ilić, V., & Milašinović, M. (2025). Declination of the Strategic Compass: Transatlantic elites, German leadership, and the future of European security. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 495–506.
46. Islam, N., Sandanayake, M., Muthukumaran, S., & Navaratna, D. (2024). Review on sustainable construction and demolition waste management—Challenges and research prospects. Sustainability, 16, 3289. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083289
47. Jalloul, H., Choi, J., Derrible, S., & Yeşiller, N. (2022). Toward sustainable management of disaster debris: Three-phase post-disaster data collection planning. Construction Research Congress 2022. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483954.055
48. Janković, L., Cvetković, V. M., Gačić, J., Renner, R., & Jakovljević, V. (2025). Integrating psychosocial support into emergency and disaster management and public safety: The role of the Red Cross of Serbia. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 99–124.
49. Jayasinghe, G. Y., Perera, T., Perera, H. A. T. N., Karunarathne, H. D., Manawadu, L., Weerasinghe, V. P. A.,Haigh, R. (2024). A systematic literature review on integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) in sustainable tourism (SusT): Conceptual framework for enhancing resilience and minimizing environmental impacts. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104742
50. Jevtić, M., Cvetković, V. M., Gačić, J., & Raonić, Z. (2025). Factors of vulnerability and resilience of persons with disabilities during disasters: Challenges and strategies for inclusive risk reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1).
51. Kalanj, S. (2025). Gender-based violence in armed conflicts. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 125–138. Petrović, T. (2025). (Re)Constructing Europe: Has a common identity integrated Europe? International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 139–148.
52. Karanović, N. (2021). CO₂ emission assessment of construction and waste materials in the context of circular economy: Case study of project “Corridor X.” Acta Technica Corviniensis – Bulletin of Engineering, 14(3), 31–34.
53. Kaukab, R. S. (2023). Circular economy and trade agreements: Towards developing a framework for linkages. Global and regional order. Bonn, Germany: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
54. Khan, M. S. (2020). Current international economic outlook. Ecodate, 33(3), 3–11.
55. Kirchherr, J., Reike, D., & Hekkert, M. (2017). Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 127, 221–232.
56. Kok, L., Wurpel, G., & Ten Wolde, A. (2013). Unleashing the power of the circular economy. Report by IMSA Amsterdam for Circle Economy.
57. Lacy, P., Long, J., & Spindler, W. (2019). The circular economy handbook: Realizing the circular advantage. London, UK: Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95968-6
58. Lee, S., Chang, H., & Lee, J. (2024). Construction and demolition waste management and its impacts on the environment and human health: Moving toward sustainability enhancement. Sustainable Cities and Society. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2024.105855
59. Lin, B. C. (2020). Sustainable growth: A circular economy perspective. Journal of Economic Issues, 54(2), 465–471. https://doi.org/10.1080/00213624.2020.1752542
60. Liu, J., Nie, J., & Yuan, H. (2020). Interactive decisions of the waste producer and the recycler in construction waste recycling. Journal of Cleaner Production, 256, 120403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120403
61. Luick R, Jedicke E, Fartmann T et al. (2025) Der Wald im Spannungsfeld von Klimaschutz und Ressourcenbereitstellung. Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung (NuL) 57:16–27. https://doi.org/10.1399/NuL.127958
62. Mančić, T. (2025). Climate change as a security challenge, risk and threat of the 21st century and its consequences on critical infrastructure. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 191–204.
63. Masaba, A. K., Aryatwijuka, W., Ntayi, J. M., & Bagire, V. (2025). Network structure in disaster response: The mediating role of coordination within a humanitarian organizational network in Uganda. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 39–54.
64. Metić, A. (2025). The Significance and Role of Police Officers in Building the School as a Safe Environment for All Students. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 17–24.
65. Milenković, D. (2025). Theoretical, institutional and organizational aspects of the integrated disaster risk reduction system: Towards a deeper understanding of disaster resilience in Serbia. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 175–190.
66. Minunno, R., O’Grady, T., Morrison, G., Gruner, R., & Colling, M. (2018). Strategies for applying the circular economy to prefabricated buildings. Buildings, 8(9), 125. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings8090125
67. Miranda, I. M., Cabrita, I., Gulyurtlu, P., & Filomena, P. (2013). Polymer-based waste materials for recycling. In Waste and Waste Management (pp. 99–100). New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 978-1-62618-284-4.
68. Nikolić, N., Cvetković, V. M., Renner, R., Cvijović, N., & Gačić, J. (2025). Disaster risk perception and local resilience near the “Duboko” landfill: Challenges of governance, management, trust, and environmental communication in Serbia. Preprints: The Multidisciplinary Preprint Platform.
69. Nikolić, N., Zečević, M., & Gajović, A. (2020). Управление качеством в экологии (Искушения в Республике Сербской). Международный научный журнал: Инновационная наука, 3, 24–32. ISSN 2410-6070.
70. OECD (2020). The circular economy in cities and regions: Synthesis report. OECD urban studies. OECD Publishing, Paris.
71. Ojha, J. C., Bhattarai, P. C., & Devkota, B. (2025). Teachers’ perception towards responses of COVID-19 pandemic management in Gandaki Province of Nepal: A cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 485–494.
72. Partnering for our planet: How life-cycle thinking can help the construction industry’s sustainability efforts. (2017). Retrieved September 27, 2020, from https://blog.tatasteelconstruction.com/partnering-planet-life-cycle-thinking-can-help-construction-industrys-sustainability-efforts/
73. Poglavlje 27 – Životna sredina. (2020). Retrieved from https://europeanwesternbalkans.rs/poglavlje-27/
74. Popović Mančević, M. (2025). Non-Traditional Roles of Military Actors: NATO’s Engagement in Natural Disaster Response. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 75–84.
75. Povetkin, K., & Isaac, S. (2020). Identifying and addressing latent causes of construction waste in infrastructure projects. Journal of Cleaner Production. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122024
76. Pradhananga, P., & Elzomor, M. (2023). Revamping sustainability efforts post-disaster by adopting circular economy resilience practices. Sustainability, 15(22), 15870. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215870
77. Regattieri, A., Gamberi, M., Bortolini, M., & Piana, F. (2018). Innovative solutions for reusing packaging waste materials in humanitarian logistics. Sustainability, 10(5), 1587. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10051587
78. Renn, O. (2017), Risk governance: coping with uncertainty in a complex world, Routledge.
79. Renner, R., & Mayr-Veselinovic, C. (2025). Social License to Operate: Where Are You? The Role of Risk Communication in Raw Material Extraction. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 49–74.
80. Ruiz, L. A. L., Ramón, X. R., & Domingo, S. (2020). The circular economy in the construction and demolition waste sector: A review and an integrative model approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 119238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119238
81. Shajidha, H., & Mortula, M. (2025). Sustainable waste management in the construction industry. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsc.2025.1582239
82. Shi, G. V., Baldwin, J., Koh, S. L., & Choi, T. Y. (2017). Fragmented institutional fields and their impact on manufacturing environmental practices. International Journal of Production Research, 1–16.
83. Stanojlović, D., Spasojević-Šantić, T., & Trivunić, M. (2016). Analysis of the state of construction waste management in the Republic of Serbia. In People, Buildings and Environment 2016: An International Scientific Conference (Vol. 4, pp. 221–229). Luhačovice, Czech Republic.
84. Tushabe, G., Rukundo, P. M., Kaaya, A. N., Nahalomo, A., Nateme, N. C., Iversen, P. O., … Rukooko, A. B. (2025). Retrogressive or misplaced priorities? An assessment of public expenditure for food security and disaster risk reduction in Uganda. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 15–38.
85. Vidović, N., & Beriša, H. (2025). Economic aspects of cyber security: Socio-financial consequences of cyber attacks. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 149–162.
86. Vlada Republike Srbije, Ministarstvo poljoprivrede i zaštite životne sredine. (2018a). Strategija upravljanja otpadom. Belgrade, Serbia: Author.
87. Vlada Republike Srbije, Ministarstvo poljoprivrede i zaštite životne sredine. (2018b). Zakon o upravljanju otpadom. Belgrade, Serbia: Author.
88. Vračević, N. (2025). Strategic roles of private military companies: The evolution and privatization of warfare in the context of contemporary global conflicts. International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, 1(1), 163–174.
89. Vukić, T. (2020). Obrazovanje za održivi razvoj kao izborni program. Istraživanja u Pedagogiji – Research in Pedagogy, 10(1). ISSN 2217-7337.
90. Wahlström, M., Teittinen, T., Kaartinen, T., & Vanden Eynde, A. (2018). Deliverable 3.1: Hazardous substances in construction products and materials. EIT Raw Materials, European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
91. World Health Organization (2025). Risk communications. https://www.who.int/emergencies/risk-communications.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Aleksandra Gajović, Vladimir Cvetković, Renate Renner, Vanja Cvetković (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
By submitting a manuscript to the International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies, authors acknowledge and agree to the following copyright terms and conditions:
-
Author Rights and Ownership
- Authors retain the copyright to their submitted work. However, by submitting their manuscript, authors grant the International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies a non-exclusive right to publish, distribute, and archive the work in any format (print, digital, or electronic).
- Authors are free to share, reproduce, and distribute their published work, provided proper credit is given to the original publication in this journal.
-
Licensing and Open Access Policy
- The journal publishes under the [insert applicable license, e.g., Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)], which allows others to share and adapt the work with appropriate attribution.
- Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submission complies with the journal's licensing terms and does not violate any third-party rights.
-
Originality and Permissions
- The submitted work must be original and not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
- If the manuscript includes copyrighted materials (e.g., figures, tables, excerpts), authors must obtain the necessary permissions for reproduction and provide appropriate attribution.
-
Author Warranties
- By submitting, authors confirm that their work does not infringe on any intellectual property rights, is free from plagiarism, and adheres to ethical publishing standards.
- The journal is not responsible for any legal disputes arising from copyright infringement, misrepresentation, or unauthorized use of third-party materials.
-
Editorial and Publication Rights
- The International Journal of Contemporary Security Studies reserves the right to make editorial modifications to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with journal standards.
- If accepted, the manuscript will be published online and made publicly available according to the journal’s open-access policy.
By proceeding with submission, authors confirm that they have read and agreed to the terms outlined in this Copyright Notice.
