6 January 2025 | Uncategorised

The circular economy in construction: Building a sustainable future

Did you know the construction industry consumes a substantial portion of natural resources—around 32%? Although this is a reduction from the 40% used in the 1990s, more than 75% of the waste generated by the construction sector can be considered valuable but is not being reused or recycled – largely due to the absence of an agreed cohesive waste management framework.

With increasing pressure on global resources, environmental concerns, and the need to reduce carbon emissions, the construction sector is shifting toward a more sustainable, circular economy model.

The circular economy in construction today

In the linear economy, building materials are extracted, used, and then discarded. In contrast, the circular economy emphasises keeping resources in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value, and recovering materials at the end of their lifecycle.

According to the World Green Building Council, the construction and demolition sector accounts for around 39% of global carbon emissions, making it an essential area to address through circular practices.

While the adoption of circular principles is still in its early stages within the construction industry, there are promising trends. Companies are increasingly focusing on designing out waste, reusing materials, and reducing their environmental impact through innovative construction techniques such as modularity.

As regulatory bodies and clients begin to demand greener projects, the industry is also recognising the financial, social, and environmental benefits of moving toward a circular model.

Understanding construction and demolition waste and building lifecycle management

To improve the lifecycle of a building and minimise its environmental impact, you first have to understand the concept of construction and demolition waste and how it fits into the broader framework of the circular economy in construction.

What is construction and demolition waste?

Construction and demolition waste refers to the debris generated from the construction, renovation, and demolition of buildings, roads, and bridges. This waste includes materials like concrete, wood, metals, bricks, glass, plastics, and even soil.

Construction & demolition waste resulting from the construction sector accounts for 30% of total waste produced globally with an estimated average of more than 35% of all construction & demolition waste disposed in landfills annually. Improper disposal of construction & demolition waste can lead to environmental hazards, from pollution to landfill use.

However, rather than simply viewing this as waste, the circular economy encourages us to consider these materials as resources that can be reused, recycled, or repurposed, thus extending their lifecycle and minimising environmental harm.

Economic benefits of improving building product lifecycles

Improving the lifecycle of building products and reducing construction & demolition waste can yield a range of economic benefits:

Cost Savings: Reusing or recycling materials can reduce disposal costs and decrease the need for virgin materials, which are often more expensive.
Increased Resource Efficiency: Companies can optimise the use of materials, reducing the quantity of new resources needed for future projects.
New Revenue Streams: Salvaging materials from demolition for resale or reuse can create additional income opportunities.
Enhanced Building Value: Buildings designed with sustainability from the outset, with durable materials and deconstruction built in can have higher market value due to their long-term operational efficiency, reusability and reduced environmental footprint.
Regulatory Compliance and Incentives: Many governments offer tax incentives, grants, and other financial benefits for sustainable building practices, such as meeting green certification standards like BREEAM or LEED.

Measuring construction and demolition waste

Measuring construction & demolition waste is essential for setting reduction targets and optimising resource recovery. The measurement process generally involves:

Weighing and Categorising: Tracking the volume and weight of segregated i.e. not Mixed Construction Waste produced during construction or demolition.
Waste Audits: Performing on-site audits to assess what percentage of waste has been diverted from landfills through recycling or reuse.
Benchmarking: Comparing waste generation with previous projects or industry standards to identify areas for improvement. Agree targets before construction starts such as 95% Recycling (achieved at the 2012 Olympics project).

To improve waste management strategies, construction teams can incorporate building information modelling (BIM) technology, which can help forecast waste and optimise material use during the design phase, ensuring fewer resources are wasted during construction and demolition. The consideration of off-site modular design is the best way to achieve a high quality build with limited waste production.

Lifecycle impacts according to TRACI

To understand the environmental impacts associated with building products, there are a number of methods you can deploy. From lifecycle analysis audits carried out by consultants and service providers such as Reconomy or exploring methodology such as BREEAM, Leed, GRESB, or the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) which has been developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess the lifecycle impacts of products and services. TRACI measures environmental impacts across several categories, including:

Global Warming Potential: The effect of emissions contributing to climate change.
Ozone Depletion: The product’s impact on the stratospheric ozone layer.
Eutrophication: The potential for water bodies to become enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive plant growth and oxygen depletion.
Acidification: The ability of emissions to cause acid rain, which can harm ecosystems.
Human Health Impacts: Assessing the potential for chemicals or other pollutants to affect human health through air, water, or soil contamination.

By using TRACI in lifecycle assessments (LCA), builders can identify the most impactful stages of a product’s lifecycle, from extraction and production to disposal, and target these stages for improvement.

Making better choices for building products

To truly embrace the circular economy, we need to rethink our approach to building products. This means choosing materials that are renewable, recyclable, or biodegradable. For example, materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled steel, and low-carbon concrete are becoming more prevalent in construction projects.

Product manufacturers are also stepping up to the challenge, offering modular components that can be easily disassembled and reused, which allows buildings to adapt to future needs without requiring complete demolition. This approach not only reduces waste but also saves energy and resources associated with producing new materials.

Selecting appropriate building products

When selecting building products that fit within the circular economy, consider the following:

Durability: Choose materials that have a long lifespan, which reduces the need for frequent replacement and minimises waste.
Recyclability: Opt for materials that can be easily recycled at the end of their lifecycle, such as metals, glass, and certain types of plastics.
Reusability: Ensure design teams have considered the deconstruction of the building at the end of its life to allow component parts to be reused.
Low Embodied Carbon: Select products with minimal embodied carbon—this refers to the greenhouse gases emitted during the production and transportation of materials. Products made from renewable materials, such as sustainably harvested wood or carbon-neutral concrete, are excellent choices.
Modularity: Modular building components, which can be easily assembled, disassembled, and reused, are highly adaptable to future projects and reduce waste.

Sourcing products responsibly

Sourcing building products responsibly is critical for ensuring that environmental and social standards are met. Key considerations for responsible sourcing include:

Sustainable Certifications: Look for products with certifications such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for wood or Cradle to Cradle (C2C) for building products, which ensures they meet sustainability and ethical sourcing criteria. This should also extend to the certification of the building through schemes such as BREEAM, Leed, GRESB, etc.
Transparency in Supply Chains: Ensure suppliers are transparent about where and how materials are sourced. This can help identify any issues with environmental degradation or unethical labour practices in the production process.
Local Sourcing: Prioritise materials that are locally sourced to reduce transportation emissions and support regional economies. Locally sourced materials also have a smaller carbon footprint due to the reduced transportation distances.

By understanding construction and demolition waste and the benefits of improving building product lifecycles, the construction industry can take significant strides toward a more circular economy. Measuring waste performance with tools like the Zero Waste index (ZWi), minimising lifecycle impacts in line with tools like TRACI, selecting sustainable materials, and sourcing products responsibly are all part of this shift.

Not only do these actions benefit the environment, but they also generate substantial economic opportunities by reducing costs, improving building value, and creating new revenue streams.

Incorporating these strategies into construction projects is a powerful way for the industry to lead the charge toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

Eliminating atmospheric carbon emissions from buildings

One of the most critical challenges the construction industry faces today is addressing carbon emissions. This includes both operational carbon—emissions from heating, cooling, and powering buildings—and embodied carbon, which comes from the production, transportation, and assembly of building materials.

To eliminate atmospheric carbon emissions, buildings need to be designed with energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in mind. Passive design principles, such as maximising natural light but using solar shading when required and insulation, can drastically reduce the need for energy consumption.

Utilising renewable energy systems like solar panels or heat pumps (air, ground, geothermal) can make buildings self-sustaining.

The rise of carbon-negative materials, such as carbon-capturing concrete and timber, also plays a significant role. These materials actively remove carbon from the atmosphere, helping to offset emissions during the building’s construction and operational phases.

Introducing open-source building and products

One of the most exciting developments in the circular economy is the concept of open-source building. This movement encourages the sharing of building designs, materials, and methods in a way that allows for easy replication, modification, and improvement. By making information freely available, the industry can accelerate innovation, reduce waste, and make circular principles more accessible to everyone.

Open-source building also supports local economies by allowing for more decentralised production of materials and components. This approach can reduce transportation emissions, lower costs, and create opportunities for communities to engage in sustainable building practices that suit their specific environmental and social needs.

Embracing the future of construction

The circular economy is not just a buzzword—it’s a real, actionable approach to reshaping how we design, build, and demolish our buildings. From choosing sustainable materials and reducing waste to eliminating carbon emissions and sharing knowledge through open-source building, the future of construction lies in creating a more sustainable and resilient built environment.

By embracing the circular economy, the construction industry can reduce its environmental footprint, increase its profitability, and ultimately help create a world where resources are used more efficiently and equitably.

Reconomy’s role in the construction sector

Reconomy is actively shaping the future of circular construction by offering practical solutions that reduce waste and maximise resource efficiency. The company provides comprehensive waste management services tailored to the construction sector, helping companies handle their construction and demolition waste more responsibly. Reconomy facilitates the collection, segregation, and recycling of materials, ensuring they remain valuable resources rather than waste.

Furthermore, Reconomy’s services extend to resource recovery, advising construction firms on how to reclaim and reuse materials for future projects. This not only contributes to the circular economy but also reduces costs associated with sourcing new materials. The company also supports compliance with environmental regulations and sustainability standards like BREEAM, helping firms stay competitive in an increasingly eco-conscious market.

By leveraging Reconomy’s digital platforms, construction businesses can track and monitor their waste streams (ZWi), ensuring that every material is put to optimal use. This digital approach allows for better data-driven decision-making, contributing to both cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): The circular economy in construction

What are the main barriers to implementing the circular economy in construction? Barriers include the initial costs of adopting sustainable technologies and materials, lack of regulatory enforcement or incentives, limited availability of recycled materials, and challenges in changing entrenched industry practices through single skips for Mixed Construction waste. Overcoming these barriers requires collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and teams on the ground.
How does building design play a role in the circular economy? Building design is crucial for incorporating circular economy principles. Design for disassembly (DfD) allows materials to be reused easily at the end of a building’s lifecycle. Using modular designs and flexible layouts also helps buildings adapt to future needs without requiring major renovations or demolition.
What are the key regulatory frameworks supporting circular economy practices in construction? Different countries and regions have regulatory frameworks promoting circular construction, such as the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan, the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification, and the UK’s BREEAM standards. These frameworks offer guidelines and incentives for adopting sustainable practices.
How can digital technologies support the circular economy in construction? Digital tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and smart sensors can help optimise resource use, reduce waste, and improve project efficiency. BIM, in particular, enables better forecasting of material needs, lifecycle planning, and waste reduction through smarter design.
How does circular construction improve building resilience? Circular construction improves resilience by creating buildings that are more adaptable and durable. By using high-quality, long-lasting materials and designing buildings for disassembly and reuse, the industry can reduce the frequency of major repairs or rebuilds, enhancing a building’s ability to withstand environmental and economic changes.
What is the role of circular procurement in construction? Circular procurement focuses on buying materials and services that prioritise resource efficiency and waste reduction. This involves selecting products that have lower environmental impacts, such as recycled or sustainably sourced materials, and suppliers that adhere to circular economy principles.
Can circular economy principles be applied to infrastructure projects, not just buildings? Yes, circular economy principles can be applied to infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and public facilities. Sustainable infrastructure can be designed using recycled materials, energy-efficient systems, and modular components, all of which reduce resource use and environmental impact.
How can the construction industry track and report its progress in adopting circular economy practices? Construction companies can track progress using sustainability reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Additionally, companies can measure success through carbon audits, waste diversion rates, and certifications like LEED or BREEAM.
What role does waste-to-energy play in the circular economy for construction? Waste-to-energy involves converting non-recyclable construction waste into energy through processes like incineration. While it’s not a perfect solution due to materials being thermally destroyed, it can reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills and provide an additional energy source, making it a small component of a circular strategy when recycling isn’t feasible.
How does circular construction contribute to climate goals? Circular construction helps meet climate goals by reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment. It addresses embodied carbon, minimises waste, and the use of carbon-negative materials. This approach aligns with global efforts to limit global warming and reach net-zero carbon emissions

What is the circular economy in construction? The circular economy in construction refers to a sustainable model where building materials are kept in use for as long as possible. This involves reusing, recycling, and repurposing materials rather than simply extracting, using, destroying and discarding them. The goal is to minimise waste, reduce environmental impact, and extract the maximum value from resources throughout a building’s lifecycle.
What is construction and demolition construction & demolition waste? Construction & demolition waste includes the debris generated during the construction, renovation, or demolition of buildings, roads, and bridges. This waste typically includes materials like concrete, wood, metals, bricks, plastics, glass, and soil. In the circular economy, construction & demolition waste is seen as a valuable resource that can be recycled or reused, rather than sent EfW plants or to landfills.
How does reducing construction & demolition waste benefit the economy? Minimising construction & demolition waste can lead to cost savings, resource efficiency, and new revenue streams by salvaging and reusing materials. Additionally, buildings designed with sustainable materials have a higher market value. Regulatory incentives, such as tax breaks for meeting green certification standards like BREEAM, LEED, can also create economic benefits.
How do you measure construction and demolition waste? construction & demolition waste can be measured by tracking the volume and weight of materials generated on-site (ZWi), conducting waste audits to identify recyclable components, and benchmarking waste levels against industry standards. Tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) help predict and reduce waste by optimising resource use during the design phase. The Zero Waste index monitors the performance during the construction and operational phases to help track a trajectory to 1.5C.
What is TRACI, and how does it apply to building lifecycles? TRACI (Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts) is a methodology developed by the U.S. EPA to assess the environmental impacts of products and services. It evaluates factors such as global warming potential, ozone depletion, and human health impacts, helping builders assess and improve the lifecycle impacts of construction materials.
How can I make better choices for building products? Choose materials that are durable, recyclable, and have low embodied carbon. For example, recycled steel, reclaimed wood, and low-carbon concrete are more sustainable choices. Opting for modular building components that can be disassembled and reused also helps in reducing future waste and energy use.
What does embodied carbon mean in construction? Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production, transportation, and assembly of building materials. Reducing embodied carbon means choosing materials with lower environmental impacts, such as renewable materials or those that actively capture carbon from the atmosphere.
How do I source building products responsibly? To source products responsibly, look for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for wood or Cradle to Cradle (C2C) for building products. Also, prioritise transparency in supply chains, select locally sourced materials, and ensure suppliers meet environmental and ethical standards to reduce environmental impact.
How can buildings eliminate atmospheric carbon emissions? To eliminate carbon emissions, focus on reducing both operational carbon (from heating, cooling, and energy use) and embodied carbon. Implement energy-efficient designs, use renewable energy sources like solar panels or heat pumps, and opt for carbon-negative materials, such as carbon-capturing concrete or timber.
What is open-source building, and how can it contribute to sustainability? Open-source building is a collaborative approach that encourages the sharing of building designs, materials, and methods. This makes sustainable innovations more accessible and scalable, reduces costs, and minimises waste. Open-source principles can also support local economies by enabling decentralised production and the use of regionally available resources.