Reuse and Recycling Feasibility Assessment for Bridge Components: A Case Study of a Bridge Investigation in Florida

Demolition waste is a significant issue in the world. Over the years, different methods for extending the lifespan of construction materials and reducing demolition waste through reuse and recycling have been investigated. Specifically, concrete bridges have significant potential for material recovery due to not only the substantial amount of materials used but also the possibility of their retaining nearly the same or similar properties across bridge life cycles. Most bridges are demolished not due to their structural deficiency but because they are functionally obsolete. In the literature on circularity and waste management, however, bridges are rarely considered. This paper quantitatively assesses the reusability and recyclability of different components of a bridge in Florida. Moreover, the reuse and recycling costs for bridge components and their resulting material savings are calculated and compared with their non-sustainable demolition options to decide the most sustainable but still economically feasible options based on their benefit-cost ratios. This study specifically examines how parameters like component uniqueness, time, and transportation affect the feasibility of bridge components for reuse or recycling and suggests the most sustainable demolition plan.