Event
Washington, DC
16 - 19 Sep
NSSGA Legislative & Policy Forum 2025
9th September 2025
On islands, where space is limited and resources are precious, the circular economy isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a lifeline. That’s why CDE and Roma Grus AB are rewriting the rulebook on construction and demolition (C&D) waste, turning what was once discarded into the foundation of a more sustainable future.
“Recycling isn’t just good practice on islands, it’s essential,” explains Darren Eastwood, CDE’s Business Development Director. “Limited land, scarce resources and reliance on imports make circularity a strategic imperative.”
From Extraction to Regeneration
On Gotland, a biodiversity-rich island off Sweden’s southeastern coast, Roma Grus has taken a bold leap. In 2019, the company chose to phase out virgin sand and aggregate in favour of a CDE-engineered wash plant that transforms CD&E waste into high-quality construction materials.
“This is the circularity in practice,” CDE’s head of business development for Europe, Eunan Kelly, commented.
“It’s a hugely positive indicator that the volume of recycled materials is increasing each year. It shows that the market is responding, that attitudes are shifting and that industries are adapting.”
“It wasn’t the easy path, but it was the right one,” says Magnus Lindby, owner of Roma Grus. “We’re not just protecting the island, we’re building its future.”
Today, Roma Grus is producing CE-marked recycled materials for concrete, supporting everything from housing to infrastructure.
Circularity in Action
The 140tph CDE wash plant is now processing 125,000 tonnes of excavated material annually - up from 60,000 in its first year. These recycled materials are already being used in major housing projects led by GotlandsHem, Gotland’s municipal housing company, addressing the island’s housing shortage while embedding sustainability into every brick.
“We are developing housing on Gotland where there is a significant housing shortage – especially in Visby, comments Business development manager Isa Wästlund and project manager Jonas Hammarlund. “This project was initiated in response to that urgent need while placing a strong emphasis on sustainability, ecological responsibility, and efficient resource use. The partnership between Peab AB, one of Sweden’s biggest construction companies, and Roma Grus allows us to prioritise circular thinking and sustainability. We are proud and excited to be working with them, and we truly believe this represents the future of construction.”
“This is exactly the kind of progress Gotland needs,” says Patrick Dahl, director of Energicentrum Gotland, the hub for sustainable transition on the island. “It’s not just about energy anymore, it’s about materials and full-circle resilience. While awareness of the need to change is already quite high among both the public and businesses we need to move forward and take action. Roma Grus is a shining example of a company that is doing just that: taking real steps and making things happen.”
A Global Footprint
Gotland’s modis operandi is a strategy CDE is very familiar with - supporting island life by reclaiming resources and reducing reliance on imports. Around the world, CDE is helping island communities meet the demands of their local construction industries while protecting natural resources.
In Hawaii, two CDE plants on Oahu and Maui are reducing dependence on imported sand. On Long Island, a 250tph plant is remediating contaminated soils and recovering valuable construction materials. The Isle of Man is home to the island’s largest and most advanced C&D waste processing facility, handling 80tph and diverting material from landfill while preserving natural sand and gravel deposits. In Aruba, a 110tph plant enables ATCO to meet growing demand for construction materials efficiently and sustainably in this remote location.
Aside from the benefits specific to island life, “Every city in Sweden should have a recycling plant,” Lindby insists. “It’s become fundamental to our business and to Gotland’s sustainability.”
Powering the Future
The island of Gotland is currently participating in the EU’s 30 by 2030 Clean energy for EU islands initiative to support more than 2,200 inhabited European islands in their clean energy transition, an ambitious target that aligns with Sweden’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
In line with this ambition, Roma Grus isn’t stopping at materials. In 2025, the company will install 6,000 solar panels to power its operations, aligning with the EU’s initiative and Sweden’s net-zero goals.
“The market is changing,” says Emil Höglund, Production Manager. “Demand for circular products is growing and we’re ready.”
Closing the Gap with Circle 2026
As CDE and our customers continue to demonstrate the power of circularity in action, the conversation around waste as a resource is gaining momentum. That’s why we are launching Circle 2026: Closing the Gap, a cutting-edge symposium to take place on 07 May 2026 in Brussels.
This event will bring together industry leaders, changemakers and trailblazers to explore the future of the materials that power our world, uncovering innovative strategies to balance sustainability with progress. If you’re passionate about building a circular economy and driving real-world impact, we invite you to apply to attend the event and be part of the movement toward a truly circular economy.
