Physics Maths Engineering
Forgotten dust: following plasterboard for non-destructive circular economies
Related Subjects
Abstract
The exploitative and unsustainable life of the construction material plasterboard requires more sustainable economies. In this article I examine the disposal of plasterboard as an experimental case for discussing a type of non-destructive circularity. A non-destructive circular model is one way to open imaginaries for more sustainable activities of construction. My focus is on end-of-life plasterboard, including its demolition, removal from construction sites, recycling and landfilling. Three months of fieldwork in the south of Finland clarified the current state of the material. I followed plasterboard across two building sites, two recycling facilities and a landfill site, and visually exposed disposal practices and material states to show the entanglement of workers, materials and circular economy discourses. The results highlight that plasterboard reproduces a problematic circularity that merely focuses on waste management through limited recycling, doing little to decrease the need for raw gypsum extraction. I outline how plasterboard in disposal conceptually disappears from the current economic model, which fails to address a variety of opportunities for more sustainable construction. By exposing a material reality that is concerned with small amounts of plasterboard in disposal, I show gypsum crumbs and dust which are unable to play a role in the current circular economy. However, I argue that attending to end-of-life plasterboard opens possibilities to imagine more ethical engagements with the material, towards non-destructive circularities. The disposal of plasterboard makes the inadequacy of the material for current circulation visible and can contribute to a debate on more sustainable economies of construction.
Key Questions about Plasterboard Disposal and Circular Economy
The article "Forgotten Dust: Following Plasterboard for Non-Destructive Circular Economies" by Delphine Rumo examines the disposal of plasterboard as a case study for non-destructive circularity in construction. Through three months of fieldwork in southern Finland, Rumo observed plasterboard across two building sites, two recycling facilities, and a landfill. The study highlights the challenges in recycling plasterboard, noting that gypsum crumbs and dust often cannot be reintegrated into the circular economy. Rumo argues for a reevaluation of construction materials and practices to foster more sustainable and ethical construction methods. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
1. What challenges exist in recycling plasterboard?
The study identifies that gypsum crumbs and dust from plasterboard are often too small to be effectively reintegrated into the circular economy, hindering recycling efforts. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
2. How does the disposal of plasterboard reflect current construction practices?
The article reveals that the disposal of plasterboard exposes the inadequacies of current construction practices, including the environmental impact of waste and the challenges in achieving sustainable construction. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
3. What is the concept of non-destructive circularity in construction?
Non-destructive circularity refers to a model where construction materials are reused or recycled without causing harm to the environment or human health. The article suggests that adopting this approach could lead to more sustainable construction practices. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
