The revised EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) includes a 70 % target for recovery of construction and demolition waste (excl. energy recovery), which will be evaluated by the commission in a near future. In order to provide some of the basis for this evaluation, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency launched a Nordic project, ENCORT-CDW, which was reported in 2014. The project aimed to study the potential change in the resource management of the main C&D waste fractions as a consequence of fulfilling the WFD target. Recovery scenarios were identified and estimations were made regarding expected savings of primary materials, impact on transports, and pollution and emissions. For wood waste, the main differences between re-use, material recycling and energy recovery were evaluated in a screening LCA. The main conclusions were that the EU recovery target does not ensure the most efficient and sustainable waste recovery in its present form: Interpretations of waste and recovery definitions affect the monitoring; The general weight-based target has to be altered to favour not only the recycling of heavyweight materials but materials where recycling implies large environmental benefits; High grade recycling should be distinguished and prioritized to ensure safe recovery. This requires improved knowledge on waste generation and handling as well as on emissions of dangerous substances.