The construction sector uses an incredible amount of physical resources, so it’s no surprise that it also produces a great deal of waste. According to recent research, the construction of our homes, offices, and infrastructure is responsible for 30 percent of the natural resources we extract from the earth, and approximately 30 to 40 percent of global solid waste.
The construction process generates waste at virtually every stage, including the actual creation of the building, ongoing maintenance, and the building’s eventual demolition, with this last stage contributing to the most amount of generated waste. A report from the EPA found that building demolition accounts for more than 90 percent of the 600 million tons of construction-related waste generated in the United States each year.
Of this 600 million tons, more than 145 million tons go directly to landfills. This is problematic because landfill waste emits greenhouse gasses into the air and can result in toxic chemicals slipping into local waterways, affecting both wildlife and local residents. So because a large portion of demolition waste is discarded rather than recycled, construction companies enter a vicious cycle.
One promising way to minimize waste from the construction and demolition phases is establishing a circular economy, in which construction companies continuously recycle and reuse building materials for new purposes and/or in new projects. In the long-term, circularity keeps used materials out of landfills and gives them a new life, decreasing the need to continuously extract new and rare natural resources and fabricate new materials. And in the medium-term, it can optimize the consumption of materials from the onset thanks to digital models incorporated in new builds that provide relevant information about deconstruction. By adopting a circular economy model, construction companies of all sizes can get closer to meeting their sustainability and carbon neutral goals. So let’s dive deeper.
Why Circularity?
Though the construction industry has made significant strides in recycling waste, most companies still follow a traditional business model that treats natural resources as unlimited. In other words, this linear model revolves around the “take-make-waste” concept.
If we were to continue this traditional process of resource consumption, virtually every new construction project would require the extraction of new natural resources and the creation of new construction materials. These are two highly energy-intensive processes, both of which historically produce large volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses, not to mention expensive. What’s more, construction companies continuously run up sizable costs during the disposal of waste.
Circularity, on the other hand, operates under the assumption that natural resources are severely limited and need to be preserved. So, instead of continuously extracting new resources and making new materials, construction companies reuse and repurpose resources and materials from structures that would otherwise be demolished and sent to landfills. However, it’s also a concept to be considered in the planning and design of a structure, so that reusing and recycling materials are considered from the onset.
All of this not only results in lower carbon emissions but also substantial cost-savings for new projects, making circularity highly beneficial from both an environmental, social, and financial perspective.
Building a Circular Construction Process
Clearly, circularity represents a massive deviation from the traditional construction business model. The initial step to facilitating this transition is to take a very different approach during the initial phases of a construction project. This is the stage where architects and developers decide which materials to use, and how the structure will be assembled.
Under a circular economy model, buildings are designed in ways that make them easier to disassemble, which ultimately makes it easier to extract parts and materials for reuse. While some building components can be reused the same way they were used the first time, others can be reconstituted into other materials or industrial products.
For example, established fixtures such as doors, windows, and appliances can be easily extracted and transferred to new construction sites. Drywall can be broken down and repurposed into fertilizer, and even concrete can be broken down and reused to improve performance and reduce emissions. Carbon Upcycling is just one example of the many innovative construction technology startups with solutions that can help the industry decarbonize by repurposing used materials in new projects or even existing processes.
Architects and developers can also harness advanced software tools to evaluate the environmental impact of a proposed design as well as the recyclability and reusability of the materials involved. These tools make it easier to select more eco-friendly building materials and design more sustainable structures in general. In doing so, construction companies can connect with building material companies that offer sustainable alternatives or recycled products.
Another benefit of this approach is that the circular construction process often produces more durable and long-lasting buildings because it emphasizes high-quality materials, thoughtful design, and sustainable practices. This reduces the need to construct new buildings as frequently, resulting in less overall waste and a more sustainable construction industry. Think about how buildings used to last for centuries, instead of mere decades.
Choosing a Recycling Partner
One major component of a circular economy lies in partnering with recycling companies that specialize in extending the life cycle of products and materials instead of relying on traditional and costly methods that end in elevated landfill levels. Due to the urgent need for more effective recycling in waste-intensive fields like construction, the waste management space has grown and evolved significantly over the past few years. Today, there are plenty of companies offering new and innovative ways to recycle and reuse construction waste.
For instance, some recycling companies can turn rubble and debris into aggregates for the production of new concrete or cement. Other companies like Soil Connect connect construction professionals through a SaaS enabled marketplace that permits those who want to sell aggregates and soil with those who need to purchase it. The point is, there is no shortage of partners out there that possess the means to turn large volumes of waste into recycled resources.
When searching for recycling partners, construction companies would be wise to consider partnering with one of the many startups promoting circularity. These companies are agile and eager to put their innovations to work. Compared to more established companies, startups also tend to be less risk averse, and are more likely to be offering services no one else has thought of yet.
Considering the amount of waste produced by the construction industry, transitioning to a circular economy model could have a dramatic impact on climate change and the worldwide sustainability movement.
However, there are still very real challenges to adopting circular principles in construction. Higher initial costs than for primary materials, a lack of data and processing and recycling technologies, and insufficient and incomplete regulations are a few barriers to increasing resource efficiency. Nevertheless, all of these complications are temporal. As new practices emerge, material and sustainable product databases improve, and regulations tighten, the recycling and reuse of construction waste is poised to become a gold standard within the industry, giving companies a safer, simpler, and more cost-effective way to obtain and use vital materials.
Read More
