Circularity can help to counter the construction industry's substantial contribution to global carbon emissions

A recent scientific paper, Assessing the circular re-design of prefabricated building envelope elements for carbon-neutral renovation, published in the Journal of Facade Design and Engineering, explores circular re-design strategies for deep renovation.

The study focuses on prefabricated building envelope elements introducing a Design for Disassembly (Dfd) indicator, quantitatively assessing the potential for future recovery and its impact on embodied carbon emissions through circular redesign.

While the redesigned elements haven't achieved full circularity, the study shows a reduction of up to 50% in embodied carbon emissions. By closing material loops and prioritizing local material reuse, demolition waste can become a valuable resource.