Kretsloppsparken in Vänersborg

Circular Construction on a Circular Site with Foamit Foam Glass

Kretsloppsparken in Vänersborg was developed as a modern recycling and reuse centre designed to promote circular resource management. The new facility is four times larger than the previous recycling centre and provides dedicated areas for reuse, education and sustainable waste management. To support the elevated structures while reducing the load on the underlying ground, approximately 5,000 m³ of Foamit foam glass was used as lightweight fill.

The project was carried out by the Technical Department of the Municipality of Vänersborg on behalf of Kretslopp & Vatten (circular waste handling and water and sewage services). The site had previously been used as a landfill, and geotechnical investigations identified a risk of settlement. To compensate for the load and ensure long-term stability, lightweight fill was required in the core of the structure. After evaluating different alternatives, Foamit foam glass was selected for its low weight, geotechnical performance and recycled origin, making it an ideal match for the project’s strong sustainability ambitions.

Foamit foam glass formed the core of the raised access ramp, which was constructed using L-shaped retaining walls and elevated by more than two metres. Above the foam glass, the structure was completed with recycled aggregates and asphalt, creating a durable and resource-efficient pavement structure. The material also proved easy to install, compact and shape, while remaining stable on slopes and allowing utility installations without complications.

By combining recycled materials with innovative lightweight construction, the project demonstrated how circular economy principles can be integrated into modern infrastructure. Kretsloppsparken now serves not only as a recycling and reuse facility but also as an educational destination where visitors can learn about sustainable resource management in practice.

u003ch3u003eI think foam glass is a great material. It works pretty much like other materials we use, and our machine operators think foam glass has better properties compared to lightweight clay aggregates. The foam glass stays firmly on the slopes, which is a valuable property here. In addition, we can build VA in foam glass without any problems.u003c/h3u003ernu0026nbsp;rnu003cp style=u0022text-align: rightu0022u003eu003cemu003eSite Manager Michaela Johanssonu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e

Michaela Johansson

Kretsloppsparken