- Stone Beam Demolition

Recycled Concrete Aggregate in Dubai: A Roadmap to Turning Demolition Waste into a Primary Concrete Resource

Introduction: From demolition waste problem to concrete opportunity

Dubai is one of the most construction-intensive cities in the world – and that means it is also one of the most demolition-intensive.

Studies show that construction and demolition (C&D) waste represents around 70–75% of all solid waste generated in the UAE, and Dubai alone produces around 5,000 tonnes of C&D waste every day. BUID DSpace+4EcoMENA+4MEED+4

For decades, most of this demolition waste has been treated as a liability:

Trucked to landfill or dumping areas
Consuming huge logistics budgets
Creating dust, visual pollution, and land pressure

At the same time, Dubai’s concrete industry consumes massive volumes of virgin aggregates sourced from quarries, with a clear environmental footprint.

But things are changing fast:

The UAE has issued a Cabinet Resolution allowing up to 40% of aggregates in some projects to be met using recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste, provided they meet UAE standards and international green building criteria (LEED, BREEAM). WAM+1
Dubai Municipality has developed technical guidelines for waste classification and mandatory segregation and is rolling out a long-term strategy to divert waste from landfill towards recycling and circular economy solutions. Dubai Land Department+3Dubai Municipality+3Dubai Municipality+3
Emirates Recycling and other specialized facilities can process millions of tonnes of C&D waste annually into usable road base and construction aggregates. Khaleej Times+4Gulf News+4Arab News+4

In other words, Dubai already has the policy, infrastructure, and technical knowledge to turn demolition waste into a primary resource for concrete. The missing piece is a clear, practical roadmap that connects demolition contractors, recyclers, consultants, and ready-mix producers.

This is exactly what this article provides – from the perspective of Stone Beam Demolition, a modern demolition contractor in Dubai specialized in engineered demolition, advanced cutting, and selective dismantling.

We’ll show how to move from:

“Demolition waste = expensive, risky dead load”
to
“Demolition waste = engineered, traceable feedstock for high-quality recycled concrete aggregate (RCA)”.

What exactly is construction & demolition waste (CDW) – and why does it matter for concrete?

2.1 CDW: more than just rubble

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is all the material generated when we build, renovate, or demolish structures. It includes:

Concrete, masonry, and mortar
Bricks and blocks
Tiles, ceramics, and plaster
Steel reinforcement and metal sections
Asphalt, soil, sand, and sub-base
Wood, plastics, glass, gypsum
Hazardous components (asbestos, lead-based paint, contaminated soils, etc.)

Policy briefs and technical studies on post-disaster rubble management show that the majority of CDW by weight is typically concrete and masonry – often 50–60% concrete and cementitious materials, 15–25% masonry units, and the rest soil, asphalt, metals and minor fractions.

CDW Arabic Brief

From a circular economy perspective, this composition is good news:

Concrete and masonry are inert, mineral materials that can be crushed and screened into new aggregates.
Metals can be separated magnetically and fully recycled.
Soils and asphalt can be reused in sub-base and fill layers if properly tested.

2.2 Inert vs non-inert – the key distinction for recyclability

From a waste-engineering and environmental perspective, CDW is usually split into:

CDW Arabic Brief

Inert CDW
- Concrete, mortar, bricks, blocks, tiles, ceramics, natural stone, sand, gravel
- Chemically stable, does not significantly decompose or leach pollutants
- Main target for recycled concrete aggregate (RCA)
Non-inert CDW
- Wood, plastic, plasterboard, metals, insulation, glass, bitumen, etc.
- May be chemically active or biologically degradable
- Some fractions are still highly recyclable (e.g., metals, certain plastics, gypsum)
Potentially hazardous components
- Asbestos-containing materials
- Lead-based paints and coatings
- Contaminated soils, chemical residues, old fuel tanks, etc.

Dubai Municipality’s waste regulations and international health & safety codes (such as the ILO Code of Practice on safety and health in construction) require systematic identification, segregation, and safe handling of these hazardous components before general demolition proceeds. Dubai Land Department+1

For Stone Beam Demolition, this means: you cannot design a “concrete-to-concrete” circular loop without first designing a safe, compliant demolition methodology.

Regulatory and market drivers in Dubai & the UAE

3.1 UAE policy on recycled aggregates

A landmark step for the region was the UAE Cabinet Resolution (2019) on the use of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste, which states that:

Government and private contractors can meet up to 40% of their aggregate requirements from recycled aggregates.
Recycled aggregates must pass laboratory tests and comply with UAE standards and green building requirements (LEED, BREEAM). WAM+1

This effectively legalizes and encourages the use of RCA in concrete and road layers, as long as quality is demonstrated.

3.2 Dubai Municipality guidelines and waste law

Dubai Municipality has issued technical guidelines on waste classification and mandatory segregation, and in 2024 it adopted a comprehensive Waste Management Law that:

Makes segregation at source mandatory for many waste streams, including construction and demolition waste.
Defines responsibilities of generators, transporters, and operators of waste facilities.
Aligns waste policies with Dubai’s long-term circular economy and carbon reduction strategies. Waste & Recycling+3Dubai Municipality+3Dubai Municipality+3

For demolition contractors like Stone Beam, this means:

You are legally expected to segregate concrete, metals, wood, plaster, etc. on site.
You must use approved transporters and approved recycling facilities.
Poor waste management can trigger fines and work stoppages, which are now regularly enforced. AHR Group

3.3 CDW recycling infrastructure in Dubai

Dubai was an early mover in the region. In cooperation with private partners like the Al Rostamani Group, the emirate established Emirates Recycling LLC, a large-scale C&D waste recycling facility in Al Lusaily. The plant:

Was designed with a capacity of up to 8 million tonnes of construction waste annually.
Can convert incoming demolition waste into crushed aggregates for roads and construction base layers. Khaleej Times+4Gulf News+4Arab News+4

Today, Dubai and the wider UAE host multiple CDW recycling plants, and recent research confirms that recycled concrete aggregates produced locally can meet strength and durability criteria at substitution rates up to 40%, when correctly specified and tested. David Publishing+4ScienceDirect+4SpringerLink+4

All of this creates a very clear message for developers and consultants:

If demolition waste is generated cleanly and segregated properly, there is already capacity and regulation in place to turn it into high-quality aggregates.

The bottleneck is often how demolition is planned and executed.

Technical foundations: what is recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and how good is it?

4.1 What is RCA?

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is produced by:

Crushing concrete from demolished structures in a controlled plant environment
Removing reinforcing steel (rebar) and contaminants
Screening the crushed material into standardized sizes (e.g. 5–10 mm, 10–20 mm, 20–37.5 mm)
Performing quality tests (gradations, density, water absorption, Los Angeles abrasion, sulphates, chlorides, etc.)

Depending on its origin and processing, RCA can be used in:

Concrete mixes (structural or non-structural, depending on specifications)
Sub-base and road base layers
Backfilling and embankments
Precast blocks, kerbs, and pavers

4.2 Performance of RCA in UAE conditions

Recent UAE and regional research on recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) shows that:

Replacing up to 30–40% of natural coarse aggregate with RCA can produce concrete of comparable compressive strength to conventional concrete, especially at 28–90 days. ScienceDirect+2SpringerLink+2
Local RCA in the UAE has abrasion and strength values within accepted international limits, with sulphate and chloride contents often well below maximum limits, a crucial factor for durability in a coastal, chloride-rich environment like Dubai. MDPI+1
Life cycle assessments show that mixes where RCA is combined with supplementary cementitious materials (e.g. GGBS, silica fume) can deliver up to ~40% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional concrete. Pure

This aligns with global findings: properly processed RCA is a technically valid material, particularly for:

Non-structural concrete (blinding, toppings, curbs, paving)
Structural concrete elements with moderate RCA replacement (subject to consultant approval)
Road base and sub-base layers

For a demolition-focused contractor like Stone Beam Demolition, this means:

The concrete we demolish is not the end of its life – it is simply the feedstock for the next generation of mixes.
But quality begins at the demolition site, not at the recycling plant.

From “smash and dump” to “engineered dismantling”: how Stone Beam designs demolition for recycling

5.1 Why demolition methodology matters

International demolition research and case studies – such as the demolition planning of the Kalix prestressed concrete bridge, where each step of dismantling was analysed with finite element modelling – show that demolition must be engineered with clear sequencing, load paths, and environmental constraints in mind.

Similarly, technical overviews on demolition highlight that unsafe or unplanned demolition leads to:

Uncontrolled collapses, injuries, and fatalities
Mixed waste with concrete, soil, wood, plaster, and hazardous materials all together
Higher cost at recycling plants and lower quality aggregates

Arabic demolition guidelines used in our region add another layer: no demolition work should start before:

Utility disconnections and “no objection” certificates from all service authorities
A full engineering survey of the structure, neighbouring buildings, and potential collapse mechanisms
A hazardous materials survey for asbestos, lead, and other contaminants
Full enclosure, fencing and protection of neighbours and public areas.

At Stone Beam Demolition, we treat these as minimum prerequisites – and we extend them with a circular economy mindset:

Every demolition method, every cut, every sequence is chosen not only for safety and speed – but also for future recyclability of the concrete.

5.2 Core principles Stone Beam follows on every high-value demolition

Engineered, sequential demolition
- Top-down or staged removal, mirroring the way the structure was built where possible
- Avoiding uncontrolled collapses, as recommended in international bridge and building demolition best practice.
Selective demolition – not brutal breaking
- Using wire-saw cutting, diamond saws, and hydrodemolition instead of random pounding where feasible
- Minimizing contamination of concrete with soil, plaster, wood, and mixed debris
Advanced tools and robotics
- Robotic demolition machines for confined or high-risk areas
- High-reach excavators with crushers and pulverizers for tall facades
- GPR scanning and coring to map reinforcement and post-tensioning before cutting
Health, safety, and environment (HSE) at the core
- Following the ILO Code on safety and health in construction for risk assessment, PPE, training, and emergency planning.

wcms_878363

- Controlling dust, noise, and vibration, especially near hospitals, schools, and sensitive neighbours.

These are not “nice to have” – they are essential if we want demolition waste to be reused in concrete without carrying health and structural risks into the next building.

Stone Beam’s 8-step roadmap to turn demolition waste into concrete-grade RCA

In practice, how do you move from today’s situation to a fully circular demolition-to-concrete loop in Dubai?

Below is Stone Beam Demolition’s proposed 8-step roadmap, aligned with Dubai regulations and international CDW management experience.

Step 1 – Pre-demolition audit & digital inventory

Before any machine touches the structure, Stone Beam conducts a pre-demolition audit:

Structural survey
- Review of as-built drawings, previous repairs, and alterations
- Identification of load-bearing elements, post-tensioned members, cantilevers, and sensitive connections
Material survey
- Estimation of volumes of:
  - Reinforced concrete
  - Masonry and blockwork
  - Steel structures
  - Asphalt and sub-base
  - Finishes and partitioning
Hazard survey
- Potential asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials, as emphasized in regional demolition safety guidelines.

The output is a digital material inventory that already marks which parts of the structure can become RCA and what quality they might achieve (e.g. clean structural concrete vs. heavily plastered slabs).

Step 2 – Permits, utility coordination, and site safety envelope

In line with both Dubai Municipality requirements and international safety codes, Stone Beam ensures that: Dubai Land Department+1

Demolition permits and waste declarations are obtained
All utility disconnections (DEWA, telecom, gas, etc.) are confirmed
The site is fenced with minimum 1.8 m hoarding, with clear signage and restricted access
Protection screens and scaffolds are installed near roads, footpaths, and neighbouring properties
An HSE Plan and Method Statement specifically address dust, noise, vibration, and waste handling

This step directly affects how cleanly and safely rubble can be removed and segregated.

Step 3 – On-site selective demolition and segregation

To generate concrete that is recyclable, Stone Beam applies selective demolition:

Concrete and masonry are demolished using crushers, pulverizers, and saw-cutting in a way that minimizes mixing with soil and other waste.
Metals are separated as early as possible (e.g. rebar pulled out by excavator, steel sections lifted out before concrete crushing).
Gypsum, wood, and plastics are removed as separate streams and not mixed with structural concrete rubble.

On site, Stone Beam sets up segregation zones, consistent with Dubai’s mandatory waste segregation guidelines: AHR Group+3Dubai Municipality+3Dubai Municipality+3

Bin / stockpile A – Clean concrete and masonry
Bin / stockpile B – Mixed CDW (for further sorting)
Bin / skip C – Metals
Bin / skip D – Non-recyclables / hazardous (bagged and labelled)

The goal is simple: the cleaner the concrete stream, the higher the RCA quality and the easier DM approval becomes.

Step 4 – Logistics and partnering with approved recyclers

Stone Beam only works with licensed waste transporters and approved CDW recycling facilities in Dubai. Concept Zone LLC.+2Emerald+2

Each load of concrete waste is:

Weighed and documented (date, source, quantity, truck plate)
Delivered to a plant (such as Emirates Recycling or equivalent) specialized in C&D crushing and screening Agg-Net+3Gulf News+3Arab News+3
Processed into RCA with traceable batch IDs and lab testing certificates

For large, multi-year programs (e.g. phased redevelopment of an area), Stone Beam can help set up dedicated logistics loops where:

Demolition waste from site A is processed into RCA
RCA is earmarked and supplied back into concrete production for site B

This creates a closed material loop within the developer’s own portfolio.

Step 5 – Quality control of recycled aggregates

To ensure that RCA can be used confidently in concrete, Stone Beam insists on a testing regime aligned with UAE standards, drawing from regional research and LCI studies on RCA production: David Publishing+3IJCI+3MDPI+3

Typical tests on RCA include:

Grading / sieve analysis
Specific gravity & water absorption
Los Angeles abrasion (LAA) and crushing value
Sulphate and chloride contents
Organic impurities
Bulk density and voids

This data is shared with consultants, ready-mix suppliers, and clients so they can approve RCA for specific uses, such as:

20–40% replacement of coarse aggregates in structural or semi-structural concrete
100% usage in lean concrete, blinding, or screeds
Road sub-base and base layers, in line with DM and RTA specifications

Step 6 – Mix design and application strategy

Working with design consultants and concrete producers, Stone Beam advocates a tiered application strategy for RCA in Dubai:

Tier 1 – Low-risk, high-volume applications

Road sub-base, non-structural foundations
Trench backfills and temporary works
Non-structural concrete (e.g. kerbs, pavers, blinding)

Tier 2 – Mainstream structural applications

Slabs, beams, and columns where 20–30% of coarse aggregate is replaced with high-quality RCA and the mix is performance-tested. ScienceDirect+2SpringerLink+2

Tier 3 – High-performance / low-carbon concrete

Combining RCA with supplementary cementitious materials (GGBS, silica fume etc.) to reduce carbon footprint and improve durability. Pure

By positioning demolition waste in this structured way, Stone Beam helps clients reduce virgin aggregate consumption, gain LEED/BREEAM points, and meet the 40% recycled aggregate policy target.

Step 7 – Monitoring, documentation, and ESG reporting

A key lesson from post-disaster CDW management and from circular economy projects worldwide is that data matters.

CDW Arabic Brief

Stone Beam therefore proposes to clients:

Waste and material passports for major demolition projects
Tracking:
- Tonnes of CDW generated
- Tonnes of concrete waste sent to recyclers
- Tonnes of RCA used in new concrete
- Corresponding CO₂ reductions and landfill diversion rates

These metrics feed directly into:

Corporate ESG reports
Sustainability sections of tenders and project close-out reports
Compliance requirements from investors and government agencies

Step 8 – Continual improvement and feedback into design

Finally, Stone Beam believes the loop must extend all the way back to designers and developers:

Lessons from demolition (e.g. difficulty of separating finishes from structure, presence of hazardous materials, access issues) are fed back to consultants.
Future buildings can then be designed for easier disassembly and recycling, with:
- Clear material separation
- Fewer composite systems that are impossible to dismantle
- Pre-planned access for future demolition robots and saws

This is how Dubai can move towards true circular construction, not just end-of-pipe recycling.

Stone Beam Demolition – example scenarios of “waste to concrete” in Dubai

Below are simplified case-style scenarios illustrating how Stone Beam would apply this roadmap in real projects. They are illustrative but grounded in the company’s engineered approach and international best practices.

Scenario 1 – Waterfront high-rise redevelopment

Project: Removal of a 25-storey reinforced concrete tower in a prime waterfront location to make way for a new mixed-use development.
Challenges: Tight site, neighbouring towers, luxury finishes, and strict dust & noise limits.

Stone Beam’s approach:

Pre-demolition audit maps all structural cores, post-tensioned slabs, and heavy transfer beams.
الهدم الآلي (الروبوتي) and wire-saw cutting are used to dismantle transfer structures in a controlled sequence.
Concrete is separated from finishes as much as practical.
Clean concrete rubble is transported to a CDW plant and processed into RCA.
The developer, in agreement with the consultant, uses RCA in sub-base layers and podium slab concrete (20–25% replacement) for the new project.

Outcome:

Over 80% of the tower’s concrete is diverted from landfill.
Virgin aggregate demand is reduced by thousands of tonnes.
The developer enhances its ESG profile and green building certifications.

Scenario 2 – Industrial demolition with contamination risk

Project: Demolition of an old industrial facility with potential chemical residues in floor slabs and pits.
Challenges: Possible contamination, worker safety, and risk of polluting RCA streams.

Stone Beam’s approach:

Conducts a hazardous material and contamination survey.
Zones are classified into:
- “Clean concrete”
- “Potentially contaminated”
Clean areas are demolished and sent as usual to RCA production.
Potentially contaminated slabs are:
- Sampled and tested
- Either treated and reclassified, or sent to specialized disposal if necessary

Outcome:

Demolition waste becomes traceable, with only uncontaminated concrete entering the RCA loop.
Environmental and health risks are controlled in line with ILO and local guidelines.

Scenario 3 – Low-rise villas and community redevelopment

Project: Phased demolition of a large villa compound to build a new, denser community.
Challenges: Proximity to residents, small plots, repetitive building types.

Stone Beam’s approach:

Applies a typical villa demolition template optimized for:
- Safety
- Dust control
- Maximum concrete recovery
Segregates all villas’ debris on site into:
- Structural concrete and blockwork
- Mixed waste
- Metals
Coordinates with a CDW plant to crush villatype concrete into RCA for:
- New internal roads and parking areas
- Blinding concrete for new villas

Outcome:

The redevelopment is marketed as a “circular community” where old villas literally become the roads and foundations of the new neighbourhood.

Why this roadmap matters for developers, consultants, and authorities

8.1 Tangible benefits

For developers and asset owners:

Lower material costs in many cases, especially for sub-base and non-structural concrete.
Stronger ESG and sustainability scores, attractive to investors.
Easier compliance with UAE and Dubai circular economy targets.

For consultants and designers:

Ability to specify tested, reliable RCA with confidence.
Data-driven decisions on where RCA can be used structurally.
Alignment with international best practice and certification schemes.

For Dubai Municipality & government entities:

Significant reduction in landfill volumes and land demand.
Reduced environmental footprint of the construction sector.
A clearer pathway to net-zero and circular economy goals. BUID DSpace+4EcoMENA+4MEED+4

8.2 Why Stone Beam is a natural partner for this transition

Because Stone Beam Demolition is not just a breaker of concrete. It is:

A demolition engineering company, capable of structural analysis, sequencing and method selection in line with global best practice.
A safety-first contractor, aligning with ILO standards and regional codes for worker protection, public safety, and hazard management.
A technology-driven operator, using robotic demolition, high-reach excavators, diamond cutting, hydrodemolition, GPR scanning, and precise core drilling.
A circular-economy partner, ready to work with recyclers, ready-mix suppliers, and developers to design fully traceable demolition-to-concrete loops.

Practical action checklist: how to start using demolition waste as a concrete resource in Dubai

If you are a developer, consultant, or main contractor in Dubai, here is a practical action plan:

Policy & targets
- Set internal targets for RCA usage (e.g. “minimum 20% RCA in non-structural concrete, minimum 40% RCA in sub-base”).
- Align with UAE’s 40% recycled aggregate policy where possible. WAM+1
Tender requirements
- Make selective demolition and waste segregation mandatory in demolition scopes.
- Require demolition contractors to provide pre-demolition audits and waste passports.
Appoint the right demolition partner
- Choose a demolition contractor like Stone Beam Demolition that:
  - Has proven engineered demolition methods
  - Understands CDW recycling and RCA requirements
  - Has established relationships with approved recycling plants
Integrate RCA in design
- Ask structural engineers and material specialists to:
  - Identify elements suitable for RCA (by exposure, load, and performance)
  - Prepare mix designs and trial mixes with local RCA sources
Monitor and verify
- Track:
  - Tonnes of demolition waste produced
  - Tonnes of concrete waste sent to recyclers
  - Tonnes of RCA used in new concrete
- Use lab testing and site performance to fine-tune RCA percentages over time.
Communicate
- Show clients, residents, and investors how their project is literally built from its own history.
- Publish CDW and RCA metrics in annual ESG or sustainability reports.

FAQ – common questions about demolition waste and recycled concrete aggregate in Dubai

Q1. Is it legal to use recycled concrete aggregate in Dubai?
Yes. A UAE Cabinet Resolution explicitly encourages the use of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition waste and allows up to 40% of aggregate requirements to be met using recycled materials, subject to compliance with UAE standards and laboratory testing. WAM+1

Q2. Can RCA be used in structural concrete, or only in roads and blinding?
Local and international studies show that up to 30–40% replacement of natural coarse aggregates with RCA can provide adequate compressive strength and durability when mixes are properly designed and tested. However, final acceptance is always at the discretion of the responsible consultant and authority, and many projects start with non-structural uses before moving into structural applications. David Publishing+3ScienceDirect+3SpringerLink+3

Q3. What are the main risks in using RCA?
Key risks include:

Poorly segregated demolition waste leading to contamination (wood, gypsum, plastics) in the aggregates.
RCA with high water absorption or excessive fines, which may affect workability and strength.
Presence of sulphates or chlorides from contaminated structures or marine exposure.

These risks are managed by engineered demolition, strict on-site segregation, and a robust testing and quality control regime.

Q4. How does Stone Beam ensure demolition waste is suitable for recycling?
Stone Beam:

Carries out structural and material surveys before demolition.
Implements selective demolition, removing hazardous materials and non-inert waste separately.
Sets up segregated stockpiles for clean concrete and masonry.
Partners with approved C&D recycling plants and shares test results with consultants.

Q5. Does using recycled aggregates reduce concrete quality?
When RCA is limited to appropriate percentages (typically 20–40% of coarse aggregates) and sourced from well-controlled recycling plants, concrete can meet the same compressive strength and durability requirements as conventional mixes. In some cases, combining RCA with modern cement replacements can even improve durability and reduce CO₂ emissions. MDPI+1

Q6. What about the cost – is RCA cheaper?
The answer depends on:

Distance between site, recycling plant, and batching plant
Local market prices for virgin aggregates
Project scale

In many UAE projects, developers see net savings when they consider:

Reduced landfill tipping fees
Fewer long-distance aggregate deliveries
Lower life cycle carbon footprint (increasingly monetized via ESG and sustainability requirements)

Q7. Can RCA be used for all types of buildings (villas, towers, industrial)?
Yes, but with different strategies:

Villas and low-rise: easier to use high percentages of RCA in roads, blinding, and non-structural elements.
Towers: more conservative use in podiums, parking slabs, screeds, and non-critical elements.
Industrial facilities: special attention to contamination, with zoning to separate clean and potentially contaminated areas.

Q8. Who is responsible for CDW segregation – the contractor or the client?
Under Dubai’s waste management framework, the waste generator (usually the main contractor / demolition contractor) is responsible for:

Safe handling, segregation, and storage of waste
Using approved transporters and facilities

However, clients and consultants play a key role by specifying segregation and recycling requirements in contracts and by approving RCA in designs. Dubai Land Department+1

Q9. How does this approach align with Dubai’s long-term sustainability goals?
By turning demolition waste into recycled concrete aggregates, projects:

Reduce landfill demand
Lower CO₂ emissions from quarrying and transport of virgin aggregates
Support Dubai’s shift towards a circular economy and integrated waste management, as set out in DM strategies and recent legislation. Dubai Municipality+2Dubai Land Department+2

Q10. Why choose Stone Beam Demolition for such projects?
Because Stone Beam combines:

Engineered demolition (structural analysis, precise sequencing, advanced methods)
International-grade HSE practices, based on ILO codes and regional guidance
Hands-on experience with robots, high-reach excavators, wire-saw cutting, hydrodemolition, GPR, and core drilling
A clear, practical roadmap to transform your demolition waste into a valuable resource for concrete and road construction.