Sustainable management of debris from the L’Aquila earthquake: environmental strategies and impact assessment

This text deals with the management of construction rubble, in particular the de-bris generated by earthquakes and the relative environmental impacts of different choices. The contribution begins with a careful consideration of the cultural, legal and practical context, before presenting the results of an experience developed by the author following the L’Aquila earthquake of April 2009, involving a homogeneous area home to different municipalities. Differentiated handling and treatment options (centralised rather than localised) were evaluated in terms of their environmental impact, using an LCA methodology, and their technical feasibility. The study focused on identifying the potentialities and limits of various management strategies for the collection and reuse of debris caused by building collapses and demolition works. The results of the study make it possible to affirmthat the criterion of the shortest distance appears to represent the better choice for the collection and treatment the demolition debris when an efficiet network of inert material collection, treatment and recycling companies is in place. When this condition is met, this strategy offers various advantages by reducing distances and climate-altering emissions in addition to fostering new employment opportunities for the local community and businesses, in particular linked to the notion of the circular economy.