EDA looks to next generation with Circular Economy awards

Howard Button of the United Kingdom’s National Federation of Demolition Contractors., leads the workshop on environmental implications for the industry. Photo: EDA

The association, which represents national associations, contractors and equipment manufacturers in Europe and beyond, officially launched the European Circular Economy in Construction Awards at its recent annual convention in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

It said the awards, which will be presented for the first time in 2024, “aim to bring visibility to projects developed in Europe by students related to demolition, decontamination and recycling (DDR) activities. Its goals also include sharing knowledge and ideas, as well as attracting new talents to the DDR sector.

“Any student enrolled in a Bachelor, Masters or PhD programme, or any other course offered by an educational institution, can submit their projects, as long as it is related to demolition, decontamination or the recycling industry.

Entries must be submitted through national associations, with the EDA directly assisting students from countries with no national association. The closing date for entries is 31 December, 2023.

The announcement was just one highlight of this year’s convention, which also included workshops on nuclear decommissioning and environmental implications for the demolition industry.

The conference was headed by Dutch environmentalist and former politician Diederik Samsom, head of cabinet in the European Commission, with 14 speakers in total including presentations from contractors Lezama of Spain, the United Kingdom’s Coleman & Company, P Olesen (Denmark) and the Finnish company Lotus Demolition.

As usual, the event concluded with a gala dinner, where Frank Berbée – owner of Dutch equipment supplier Dehaco – became the latest person to receive the EDA’s Club of Honor medal.

It was presented by his son Marc, the current CEO of the company.