Fundamental Problems and Development Paths for Reclamation of Waste Waterproof Membranes

The reclamation of construction solid wastes is crucial for the high-quality development of the construction industry and it is urgent to further improve the utilization rate of the construction solid wastes to achieve the carbon peaking and carbon neutralization goals. Waste waterproof materials are an important component of the construction solid wastes; however, research on the utilization of these materials is almost blank in China. As calculated in this study, the total output of waterproof materials in China was 2.983×1010 m2 during 2005‒2021 and that of waterproof membranes was 1.89×1010 m2, indicating that waterproof membranes are the main body for waterproof material recycling. In response to the national green and low-carbon development situation, a utilization path for “reducing, reusing, and recycling” (3R) the waterproof membranes is proposed as well as a high-performance waterproof membrane research and development concept that combines waterproof membrane “genome”, multi-scale / multi-scenario analysis, and machine learning prediction. A waterproof membrane reuse mode with system disassembly as the core is clarified as well as a recycling strategy with classification, gradation, and deconstruction as the core. Moreover, the in-depth research and innovative application of fully recycled waterproof membranes and additive manufacturing technology should be promoted. The transformation of recycled waterproof membranes to products and the engineering application of these products are major challenges to be addressed in the future, which requires joint efforts of the management departments, academia, and industry.