The circular economy aims to keep raw materials in circulation as much as possible and at their highest quality. Its core principles are waste reduction, resource efficiency, pollution elimination and environmental regeneration. This system is the opposite of the linear economy, where stakeholders extract virgin resources, produce goods and sell them without meaningfully recovering them after consumption. The result is the depletion of finite natural resources, habitat loss, waste, pollution and global warming.
Circular supply chains are environmentally conscious — they recognize that the status quo is convenient but unsustainable, which is why participants focus on minimizing the complexity and toxicity of products. This way, they become less complicated and costly to reuse, repurpose, refurbish, recycle and remanufacture. Like other notorious greenhouse gas emitters and waste generators, the construction industry must adopt circular economy principles to become more sustainable. Explore ways to do so in various avenues.
Waste Reduction
Estimates say the construction sector is responsible for over a third of the solid waste globally. Bringing it to zero may be impossible, but these steps can help move the needle in landfill decongestion.
Build Off-Site
Incorporate modular systems into building design — it generates 83.2% less waste in terms of total weight. Producing modules in a controlled environment improves inventory management, renders weather a nonfactor and aids material recycling.
Gauge Material Needs as Accurately as Possible
Hire competent talent to nail procurement and avoid over-ordering products. Buying just the right amount avoids inflating the cost and demand for goods.
Source Lean Supplies
Look for building products containing or requiring less material to install without compromising performance. Their vendors invest in research and development to give existing resources new leases on life and leave untouched ones undisturbed.
Monitor Flow of Goods
Keep an eye on the building materials entering and exiting the site to minimize wastage. Performing regular audits and leveraging modern technology to track everything is also beneficial. Technical training to help workers do their jobs correctly and use products efficiently is a major boon as well — do-overs are significant resource wasters.
Manage Waste Streams
Handle construction and demolition (C&D) and solid waste streams properly. Partnering with local recyclers to learn best practices in sorting and segregating them is a great first step. Old structures are also a gold mine of valuable resources — reusing construction materials alone can translate to a 32% reduction in raw material imports.
When you have excess or leftover products, utilize them in subsequent projects. Alternatively, resell them to local buyers and donate them to interested parties like nonprofits.
Resource Efficiency
The circular economy is about maximizing the available raw materials on the market. Following these tips can make construction procurement more sustainable.
Support Local Vendors
Use local suppliers of recycled construction materials. These materials have a shorter journey from the warehouse to the job site, emitting less pollution. Plus, providing business to local suppliers motivates them to stay in the circular economy.
Use Renewable Resources
Utilize products made from naturally replenishable materials — such as cork, bamboo, wool and plant-based plastic— when recycled or reclaimed alternatives aren’t available. Renewable is sustainable, so embrace this class of products.
Pollution Elimination
Traditional construction methods adversely affect air, water, soil and human health. Observing these best practices can minimize pollution at every turn.
Design Eco-Friendly Structures
Sustainable design principles will power buildings efficiently throughout their life cycle. Tap into clean energy sources — including solar and geothermal — to keep such properties running and reduce carbon footprints. Deconstruction-friendly buildings also render material recovery efficient at the end of a structure’s viability.
Electrify Vehicles and Tools
Upgrade diesel and gas fleets to electric vehicles. Electrification eliminates harmful fumes on-site and the machines operate more quietly. If going full electric isn’t feasible, switch to biodiesel or alternative fuels.
Replacing old, inefficient equipment with hybrid models is an effective way to join the circular economy gradually. Regarding idling, keep it to a minimum — doing so can cut vehicle running time by up to 50% and save about a gallon per hour.
Neutralize Particulates
Use moisture to remove inhalable particulate matter from the air. Dust suppressants, water sprays and misting systems can get the job done. Covering construction materials in transit with a net or tarp and barricading the job site helps prevent air pollutants from dispersing to the surroundings.
Invest in first-rate devices for air quality monitoring and reporting — such as samplers, sensors and meters. These instruments can record and detect issues early and aid compliance.
Avoid Burning Anything
Discourage workers from setting solid waste on fire to prevent releasing combustion emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has open burning exceptions, but working with recyclers to handle reusable debris is more environmentally friendly.
Dispose of Organic Waste Correctly
Remove garbage, sewage, animal waste, and chemicals from the site safely and promptly. Properly storing them can trap their foul or toxic vapors. Manage pollutants responsibly to prevent them from seeping into the soil and entering waterways.
Minimize Noise
Use sound-absorbing materials to avoid making a racket when performing construction activities. Covering metal surfaces with rubber can weaken vibration, while lining components with an elastic material reduces mechanical shock.
Be Wary of Erosion
Identify site areas prone to erosion — like slopes — and take action. Use coverings, soil stabilization measures, runoff water and sediment control methods to minimize denudation. Dewatering flooded areas, dividing the site into sections and limiting ecological disturbance also help.
Environmental Regeneration
The circular economy exists to reverse the ecological damage caused by the linear economic system. It can take a while before nature recovers, but remembering these pieces of advice is a good start.
Preserve the Trees
Let existing vegetation remain untouched to minimize the construction project’s negative impact on ecological systems. Tree preservation provides the crew shade while working and incorporating them into the building design can win the hearts of residents.
Prioritize Regenerative Design
Be mindful of every design choice to ensure every aspect of the structure benefits the environment. For instance, keeping the outdoor area more natural and less paved can turn the property into a carbon sink. Vegetation helps slow global warming by decelerating the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Participate Actively in the Circular Economy
The circular economy is a force for good. It’s a non-negotiable requirement to practice eco-friendly construction, so join the sustainability revolution sooner rather than later.
