Demolition waste for adsorption of metals: A step towards the circular economy

The proposal of effluent treatment systems, based on circular economy principles, is a great challenge that leads to the reduction of waste from other activities, thus reducing the environmental and economic cost of the global process. In this work, buildings demolition waste is proposed to be used for metals removal from industrial effluents. To validate these hypotheses, tests were carried out on batch reactors using Copper, Nickel, and Zinc solutions, in concentrations between 8 and 16 mM. As results, removals greater than 90% were obtained. With these preliminary outcomes, it was decided to use equimolar multicomponent solutions with 8 and 16 mM of these metals in a column packed with demolition waste as adsorbent. From the breakthrough curves, it was observed that the adsorption occurs in the order Copper > Nickel > Zinc. The columns' saturated filler could be safely disposed of by incorporating it into conventional or special mortars and concrete. Preliminary studies on the leaching and resistance of mortars prepared with exhausted adsorbents are also promising. It is concluded that these materials emerge as an economic and sustainable alternative for metal contaminants removal.