Besides the fact that this project was present at this fair through a stand with the exhibition of construction and demolition waste, in its various states of composition and incorporation in demonstrator models, the project had the opportunity to integrate the panel of commercial presentations, where it was possible to present the project, the financial mechanism, its objectives and expected and achieved results so far.

Highlighting the contribution of a project with this ambition, in the context of encouraging circularity in what is one of the largest waste producing sectors in Portugal, ReBuild 17 aims to develop and implement a platform for the recovery of waste originating in the construction sector, in particular in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, with a model that can be replicated in other regions, where the various stakeholders associated with the sector, from producers to operators and waste collectors, can participate.

To achieve this, ReBuild 17 has been promoting actions to encourage stakeholders, holding meetings to gather contributions and disseminate knowledge, as well as technical visits to facilities of companies with expertise in the treatment and processing of waste. With the aim to create technical solutions that encourage an initial participation in the platform and create a dynamic of innovation and encourage circularity between those involved in the waste management and treatment process, the project team has been studying and developing demonstrative models through the incorporation of waste in new materials to be used in construction.

ReBuild 17, recently, was also present at the World Circular Economy Forum, through the participation of the Director of the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory (LREC), Francisco Fernandes, being the only Portuguese speaker of the 100 registered, in an event that had the participation of 9000 delegates from 160 countries. This distinction was also evidenced in the participation of one of the top LREC technicians, Catarina Amaral, who successfully completed the training course at the 10th International Summer School on Lyfe Cycle Approaches to Sustainable Regional Development, being the only Portuguese participant among the 30 subscribers who took part of the international virtual course, having also presented a project within the scope of the analysis of the life cycle of materials.

This project is part of the Environment Program, financed by the EEA Grants financial mechanism, and is promoted by the Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Civil Engineering Laboratory (LREC), of the Regional Secretariat for Public Works and Communications, in partnership with Innovation of Advanced Materials Products Center (CIMPA), the Icelandic company ReSource International and Fibrenamics Azores.