Construction
Projects & Industry Impact
The construction industry, as one of the largest consumers of natural resources, plays a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. Shifting towards circular construction practices is crucial to reducing waste, minimizing environmental impact and creating resilient urban environments.
The construction sector is responsible for nearly 50% of global material extraction, a demand projected to double by 2060. This escalating consumption exerts immense pressure on finite resources, leading to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. A transition to a circular economy, where materials are continuously repurposed and reused- is essential for mitigating these impacts while fostering sustainable urban development.
Waste Generation
Construction and demolition activities generate approximately one-third of the world's waste, expected to reach 2.2 billion tons annually by 2025. This waste stream, composed primarily of concrete, wood, metals and plastics, is often disposed of in landfills, consuming valuable land resources and contributing to environmental pollution. Circular construction strategies focus on waste minimization, material recovery and repurposing to reduce landfill dependency and enhance resource efficiency.
Pollution and Contamination
Cement production alone accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions, while the manufacturing of construction materials releases particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, deteriorating air quality and affecting public health. Additionally, poor waste management in construction can lead to soil and water contamination, with heavy metals and toxins leaching into ecosystems. Implementing sustainable material choices and improved waste handling practices is critical to mitigating these risks.
Circular Strategies in Construction
A circular approach to construction seeks to close the resource loop through innovative strategies, including:
-
Design for Disassembly: Creating buildings that can be easily dismantled, allowing materials to be recovered and reused.
-
Material Recycling and Reuse: Prioritizing secondary materials such as recycled steel, aluminum, glass and plastics over virgin resources.
-
Low-Carbon Materials: Promoting alternatives with lower embodied carbon, such as hempcrete, timber and recycled aggregates.
-
Digital Tools and Data Sharing: Utilizing Building Information Modelling (BIM) to optimize material use and track resource flows.
-
Material Passports: Digital databases that provide detailed information on building materials to facilitate future reuse.
-
Urban Mining: Extracting valuable materials from demolished buildings to reintegrate into new construction projects.
