Insights from the technical visit: Waste management at RCH Recycling Centre Himberg GmbH and MVA Pfaffenau

Students on the "Green Building" course at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Zagreb had the opportunity to take part in a two-day specialist visit to Vienna on 18 and 19 April as part of the GREENCO project. On the first day, they visited the RCH Recycling Centre Himberg GmbH, one of the PORR Group's largest plants for processing construction and demolition waste (C&D waste). The plant specialises in the production of crushed stone, sand and gravel in various grain sizes from recycled construction waste as well as the production of substrates for green roofs. It also has a plant for extracting valuable elements such as chromium, nickel and zinc from the waste. These new materials are used in the construction industry and in the private sector in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland.

On the second day, the students visited MVA Pfaffenau, a company that is committed to protecting the environment and the health of the Viennese. The company generates energy by recycling and thermally treating waste. Surplus profits are reinvested in waste management in order to reduce costs for citizens.

This technical visit gave the students a better understanding of the processes of recycling and energy recovery from waste and stimulated their thinking about social responsibility and environmental protection. This experience will be crucial for their future contribution to sustainable construction.