Unlocking Sustainability with a Circular Economy

In nature, waste isn’t an end but a beginning—a cycle of renewal where nothing goes to waste, the old and used is transformed into the nourishment for the new. Yet, within today’s world, we've strayed from this cyclical approach to waste, adopting more linear systems where products are made, used, and discarded, often leaving behind a trail of waste and pollution.

Enter Circular Economy — a concept which holds significant promise within construction, as we strive to decarbonise our cities and meet net-zero targets by 2050. In this article, our Senior Sustainability Consultant, Izzy Connolly, provides a detailed overview of the benefits this approach can offer and explores how it could positively impact carbon emission reduction within our industry.

What is Circular Economy?

Traditionally, our society views waste in a very linear way: something gets made, we use it, and then we dispose of it. The concept of a Circular Economy, however, challenges this mindset by focusing on how we can keep materials in use for as long as possible. If we look at the natural world, nothing truly goes to waste. For instance, when a tree grows, its leaves eventually fall and decompose, providing nutrients for other organisms. It's a cyclical, circular process where nothing is wasted—everything is repurposed.

In contrast, our human world often embraces a linear approach, across all sectors, where items are produced, used and then disposed of. The goal of adopting a Circular Economy is to shift back to a more sustainable, cyclical way of living. This means reusing and repurposing materials to minimise waste, especially within sectors like ours, where materials are limited. By embracing this approach, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact.

The 3 Key Principles

A Circular Economy is based on three main principles:

• Designing out waste and pollution

• Keeping products and materials in use

• Regenerating natural systems

The one I find most crucial for project teams and our clients is — designing out waste and pollution. It's about addressing these issues at the heart of the design process, from the very beginning, rather than trying to fix them later. We need to shift our mindset to see waste and pollution as a design flaws, rather than consequences, and to recognise that new materials and technologies can be used to minimise waste and pollution in the long term. A good example of this is prefabrication for contractors, which involves assembling building components off-site in a controlled setting. This technique reduces the need for on-site cutting and ensures more accurate use of materials, resulting in less waste overall. Not only does this have a positive environmental impact, but it also provides cost savings.

The second principle, keeping products and materials in use, is more straightforward. It involves ensuring that products and materials remain in use for as long as possible, considering how they can be repaired and reused to avoid disposal.

The final principle is regenerating natural systems. This embraces the idea that we should not only protect the existing environment but also enhance and improve it by incorporating greener spaces and promoting biodiversity within project schemes.

How is Circular Economy different from other sustainable approaches?

With a Circular Economy, it’s not just about the environmental aspects; it’s also about the social and economic factors. One clear example is its positive impact on supply chains. When materials are reused and recycled, companies become less reliant on imports, which in effect reduces market risk. So, if a Circular Economy is effectively integrated into a business model, it can lead to greater supply chain resilience by reducing dependency on volatile global markets. This, in turn, minimises costs and ensures a more predictable supply chain for construction companies.

Designing products and materials for durability, reuse, and recyclability can also drive innovation, as companies develop new technologies and processes to support circular practices.

On a broader societal level, there’s the potential for new job opportunities to be created in these areas (recycling, remanufacturing, and maintenance) —by integrating circular principles, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable economy, benefiting not only the environment but also society and the economy as a whole.

How do we create a more Circular Economy within Construction?

One effective way to advance the Circular Economy is by completing a Circular Economy statement, for any new schemes and upcoming projects. In London, for any major development, this statement must be completed alongside a whole life cycle carbon assessment, which also informs the circular economy statement. These statements are submitted to the Greater London Authority (GLA). We’re seeing an increasing number of developments outside London adopting these practices for best practice purposes, even when not required for planning permission. For instance, we’ve worked on several projects for the Department for Education as well as within the Logistics sector.

Why is Education on Circular Principles so important?

For professionals within our industry, it’s crucial that they engage in training programmes to learn more about Circular Economy principles. Construction in the UK is a major contributor to waste, so training for all participants, from Architects to MEP Engineers, is essential. Architects should incorporate circular principles from the design stage, while MEP Engineers need to consider how their services can be adaptable for the future. Contractors play a key role as well. During demolition processes, being aware of what materials can be salvaged and reused on other sites is essential for reducing waste. Additionally, if contractors are knowledgeable about common pitfalls related to material waste during construction, they can manage sites more efficiently from the start.

While its application may not be widespread yet, a Circular Economy holds substantial promise for reducing carbon emissions within the building sector specifically. Education is key to catalysing the shift towards a Circular Economy, and by equipping project design teams with the knowledge and tools to integrate circular principles into their designs and practices, we can pave the way for a more sustainable future.

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