In the quest to build a more sustainable future, the construction industry is increasingly turning to circular economy principles. A recent study, led by Pauline Jegen from the Chair of Resource and Energy Systems at TU Dortmund University in Germany, sheds light on how these principles are being implemented in the construction sector. The research, published in the journal ‘Cleaner Production Letters’ (translated from German as ‘Letters on Clean Production’), offers a comprehensive review of the current state of circular construction, with a particular focus on the 9R framework.
The 9R framework is a series of strategies for implementing circular economy principles throughout the lifecycle of a product, ranging from ‘refuse’ to ‘recover’. Jegen’s study analyzed 182 articles to understand which of these strategies are most emphasized in existing research and at which stages in the lifecycle of buildings, building elements, and materials circular economy measures are applied.
The findings reveal that the primary focus of circular construction research has been on recycling, followed by ‘rethink’ and ‘reuse’. However, there is a significant gap in the representation of other R-imperatives such as ‘refuse’, ‘reduce’, ‘repair’, ‘refurbish’, ‘remanufacture’, ‘repurpose’, and ‘recover’. This presents a substantial opportunity for the industry to explore these underrepresented strategies to reduce material demand and carbon footprint.
Jegen highlights the potential of integrating sufficiency and material efficiency in construction. “By extending the lifespan of buildings and materials through strategies like reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, and repurpose, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry,” she explains. This shift could have profound implications for the energy sector, as the production and use of materials in construction account for a significant portion of global energy consumption.
The study also proposes a categorization system to clarify the approaches within the construction industry that align with the 9R strategies. This system could serve as a valuable tool for stakeholders in the energy sector looking to integrate circular economy principles into their operations.
Moreover, the research suggests that the practical implementation of circular economy in construction can be facilitated by the use of standardized material passports, stakeholder integration, and building information modeling. These tools could help streamline the process of tracking and managing materials throughout their lifecycle, making it easier for companies to adopt circular economy principles.
As the construction industry continues to evolve, the insights from Jegen’s study could shape future developments in the field. By emphasizing the underrepresented R-imperatives and integrating sufficiency and material efficiency, the industry could move towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. The energy sector, in particular, stands to benefit from these developments, as they could help reduce the environmental impact of construction activities and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change. The research was published in ‘Cleaner Production Letters’ and is available for further reading.