Construction is one of the most resource-intensive and waste-generating industries in the world. According to the UK Green Building Council, they are responsible for around 60% of material consumption and waste production in the UK. It is also responsible for 37% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN Environment Program.
The industry has long operated on a linear economic model in which resources are mined, used to build, and then disposed of as waste. This approach has contributed significantly to the depletion of natural resources and is increasingly unsustainable, with significant environmental costs.
As we work towards a more sustainable built environment, it is crucial to move away from the traditional “take-make-dispose” model and instead adopt a circular economy model.
The concept of the circular economy is about keeping products, materials and resources usable for as long as possible. Instead of throwing them away after use, the circular economy focuses on reusing, recycling or reusing, reducing the need for new raw materials and minimizing waste.
Adopting circular practices in the built environment brings many other benefits to the industry beyond environmental impact. From an economic perspective, circular economy practices can help reduce costs associated with sourcing new raw materials, better manage price volatility and mitigate risks.
By designing buildings for circularity, industry can improve their lifespan and resilience. A longer lifespan of buildings and infrastructure means fewer resources are needed to maintain them over time. This, in turn, can increase the long-term value of built assets over their life cycle.
How can the industry transition to a circular economy?
An important step is upskilling the workforce to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools to make more sustainable decisions on construction projects. Additionally, understanding the environmental and economic benefits of the circular economy will encourage companies to adopt these practices on a larger scale.
“Continuing education is key to effectively embedding circular economy principles in organizations in the built environment and promoting sustainability,” says Shribavani Shrikaran, strategic advisor at BRE, who helped develop a new course – Circular Economy in Construction Foundations.
This new course from BRE Academy is based on BRE's world-leading sustainability expertise and is designed to help learners understand the concept of circular economy in the context of the built environment.
The course highlights the importance of circularity by addressing its role in reducing environmental impact, its commercial benefits and its contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also includes case studies and examples that show how circular economy principles are applied in the industry, helping learners see their real-world value and understand how they can advance sustainability.