A Danish recycling programme

Lessons from the first complete gypsum plasterboard recycling program in Europe

• Started in Denmark in the fall of 2001 with collection activities 
    
• Now almost 500 collection points are serviced all over the country using two grable trucks 
    
• 75% of all customers chose to use the special dedicated gypsum waste containers from Gypsum Recycling International 
    
• 90% of all public waste cycling stations and civic amenity sites are now covered by the collection system and have containers. The coverage is still increasing 
    
• The largest construction and demolition companies are among our important customers 
    
• The savings for the waste owners are typically more than 25% 
   
• Presently approx. 65% of all gypsum waste in Denmark is being recycled by Gypsum Recycling International. This recycling rate is the highest in the world for any voluntary gypsum recycling system and it is still increasing 
     
• Landfilling of gypsum waste is not banned in Denmark, the users of the system simply do it because of the economic and environmental advantages this gives them 
     
• Both Danish plasterboard manufacturers, Danogips (Knauf) and Gyproc (BPB), take delivery of the recycled gypsum powder for use in the production of new virgin boards Processing facilities are located in Hobro close to Danogips (Knauf) and in Kalundborg close to Gyproc (BPB)