In the heart of Europe’s construction sector, a significant challenge looms large: managing plastic waste effectively. A recent study, led by Shuang Wang from the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, sheds light on the barriers hindering the construction industry’s progress towards a circular economy. The research, published in ‘Cleaner Environmental Systems’ (or ‘Renere Miljøsystemer’ in Norwegian), offers a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles faced in reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic waste, providing a roadmap for construction companies to navigate this complex landscape.
The construction sector’s struggle with plastic waste management is not for lack of trying. The diversity of plastic products and the intricate value chain of construction plastics have made it an uphill battle. “The complexity of the construction plastics’ value chain and the unique role of construction companies in the circular economy have contributed to a limited understanding of the barriers,” Wang explains. To tackle this, Wang and her team created a construction plastic product list covering 38 product types across seven categories with 18 polymer options.
The study identified a staggering 129 barriers to recycling, 124 to reuse, and 39 to reduction. The construction life cycle stage emerged as the most challenging, with activity-related barriers such as collection and sorting for recycling, design for reuse, and installation for reduction topping the list. “The life cycle stage-based, strategy-specific, and product-specific perspectives on barriers provide a structured foundation for construction companies to set strategic priorities,” Wang notes.
The commercial impacts of these findings are profound. For the energy sector, which often intersects with construction, understanding these barriers can lead to more informed decision-making and strategic investments. By addressing these barriers, companies can reduce waste, lower costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
This research is set to shape future developments in the field by providing a clear, structured overview of the challenges ahead. It serves as a call to action for construction companies to prioritize and target their plastic waste management strategies effectively. As the industry grapples with the complexities of plastic waste, this study offers a beacon of guidance, illuminating the path towards a more circular and sustainable construction sector.