Skip to main content

Circularity: a promising solution to construction waste

A green tall structure
News

Circularity: a promising solution to construction waste

The construction sector, a major waste producer, can significantly reduce environmental impact and costs by adopting a circular economy model that emphasises recycling and reusing materials.
Luca Papapietro

The construction sector is a major contributor to global waste and resource extraction, generating 30-40% of solid waste and consuming significant natural resources. 

Building demolition alone accounts for over 90% of the 600 million tons of annual construction waste in the U.S., with a large portion ending up in landfills, causing environmental harm. 

A promising solution is adopting a circular economy model, which emphasises recycling and reusing materials to minimise waste and conserve resources. This approach reduces carbon emissions and costs by incorporating sustainable practices and advanced technologies in building design and materials management. 

While challenges remain, including higher initial costs and regulatory gaps, the circular model holds the potential for substantial environmental and economic benefits, driving the construction industry toward sustainability.

Ibon Iribar
Original source:
Themes
Construction materials and circular construction