SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: THE ADOPTION OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY

REGISTRO DOI: 10.69849/revistaft/fa10202505182335

Daniela Cristina do Nascimento

ABSTRACT

The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to waste generation and the consumption of natural resources, significantly contributing to environmental degradation. However, sustainable construction practices, such as replacing wood with concrete and using reinforcement meshes, are transforming the sector by reducing waste and material usage. The adoption of methods like on-site cast concrete minimizes the use of natural resources and results in a more efficient construction process, reducing the waste generated on the job site. Implementing a circular economy in the sector aims to maximize material reuse and reduce waste, aligning with the principles of sustainability and environmental preservation. Furthermore, reducing materials at the construction site improves organization and safety, speeding up the process and reducing costs. Research by Schützenhofer et al. (2022) and other scholars highlights the importance of integrating circular economy practices into the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector to address environmental challenges. These approaches provide practical solutions for managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste, focusing on recycling, material reuse, and minimizing environmental impacts. The study by Benachio, Freitas, and Tavares (2020) reinforces the need for a paradigm shift in the construction industry, moving from a linear model to a circular one that seeks to optimize resource use and promote sustainability. Additionally, Bao and Lu’s work (2020) emphasizes the importance of adopting public policies and advanced technologies to support this transition. Together, these studies provide a solid foundation for implementing sustainable practices in the sector, helping to reduce environmental impacts and promote a more responsible and efficient production cycle.

Keywords: Circular Economy, Sustainable Construction, Waste Management, Material Reuse, Environmental Sustainability.

The construction industry has traditionally been associated with large volumes of waste, especially due to the use of conventional materials such as wood, steel, and cement. However, with technological advancements and the growing demand for more sustainable practices, new construction methods are being adopted to reduce environmental impact. A significant example of this progress is the use of concrete walls instead of wood, which not only minimizes the use of natural resources but also helps reduce the waste generated at construction sites. By replacing wood with concrete, the construction industry eliminates one of the main components that generates waste during construction, as concrete walls are molded on-site and have a more precise installation process.

Figure 1: Circular economy principles for construction.

Source: UKGBC.

In addition, the use of mesh reinforcements instead of conventional steel bars also contributes to waste reduction. This mesh allows for greater control and precision in the amount of material needed for construction, reducing excess and leftovers. This construction model not only decreases waste but also aligns with the principles of the circular economy, which seeks to promote the reuse of materials and the use of inputs with a low environmental impact. By adopting methods that require fewer inputs and natural resources, such as in the case of concrete walls, the construction industry can contribute to creating a more sustainable production cycle, where waste is minimized and the use of new materials is reduced, promoting environmental preservation.

Furthermore, the work environment on construction sites becomes more organized and safe. With fewer inputs and materials on-site, the logistics of storage and handling of materials become more efficient, reducing accident risks and making the construction process more agile. This type of construction also offers a significant advantage in terms of time and cost, as building concrete walls and using reinforcement meshes can accelerate the construction process and reduce costs related to materials that will not be reused. In summary, the use of concrete and reinforcement meshes not only reduces construction waste but also contributes to a more efficient work environment aligned with sustainability practices and the circular economy.

The research by Schützenhofer et al. (2022) highlights the significant role of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries in the extraction of global raw materials, being responsible for 40 to 60% of the total. Construction waste also represents a substantial portion of the total waste volume, emphasizing the importance of careful material management to reduce the degradation of natural resources and the growth of landfills. The study emphasizes that the reuse and recycling of materials can significantly reduce resource and energy consumption, as well as environmental emissions. The authors advocate for the circular economy approach within the AEC sector, which focuses on minimizing the consumption of resources, waste, emissions, and energy leakage through closed material cycles. To implement a consistent circular economy, Schützenhofer et al. (2022) stress the need for a holistic approach that considers the flow of materials, emissions, and energy in the context. The article analyzes the processes of dismantling, recovery, and recycling, providing a framework for assessing material sustainability. It also compares the technical effort and costs associated with ecological indicators, offering applicable data in areas such as demolition planning, on-site waste management, resource management at various levels, and government fiscal mechanisms.

The study by Benachio, Freitas, and Tavares (2020) highlights the significant environmental impact of the construction industry, which is responsible for more than 30% of raw material extraction and 25% of solid waste generation worldwide. This occurs mainly due to the industry’s reliance on a linear economic model of “extract, produce, and discard,” where materials are used once in construction and discarded at the end of their life cycle, with little potential for reuse. However, the authors observe that a paradigm shift is occurring, with the adoption of circular economy principles to keep materials in a closed loop and maximize their value. The article aims to explore recent developments on how the circular economy can be applied in the construction industry. For this, a systematic literature review was conducted with 45 articles covering six key research areas: circular economy development, material reuse, material stocks, circular economy in the built environment, life cycle assessment (LCA), and material passports. The study analyzes the content of these articles, identifies knowledge gaps, and creates a table with known circular economy practices for the construction industry, organized by life cycle stages. The article concludes with a discussion of the findings in each research area.

Bao and Lu’s (2020) study addresses the critical challenge of construction and demolition (C&D) waste management in the context of the global push for the circular economy, with special focus on rapidly developing economies. The authors highlight Shenzhen, China, as a case study, illustrating how the city experienced significant economic growth in recent decades while facing the urgent need to manage the growing volume of C&D waste. Using a mixed approach that combines case studies, on-site investigations, and interviews, the research identifies key factors contributing to Shenzhen’s success in establishing a circular economy for C&D waste. These factors include strong government interventions, the development of a thriving recycling market, the introduction of advanced recycling technologies, and responsive institutional arrangements. The study also suggests improvements in areas such as certification of recycled products, land use, and economic subsidies, in addition to evolving philosophies of the circular economy, to sustain the city’s long-term circular economy model. This research offers valuable insights that can be adapted to other emerging economies seeking to develop effective circular systems for managing C&D waste.

The study conducted by Ruiz, Ramón, and Domingo (2020) focuses on the significant environmental challenges posed by construction and demolition (CDW) waste and the role of the circular economy (CE) in addressing these issues. Due to the high volume of CDW generated and its inadequate management, the study emphasizes the environmental consequences, particularly the low rates of recovery of construction materials and the impact associated with manufacturing processes. The research explores how the circular economy, with its focus on efficient use of resources and energy, can minimize waste and reduce the environmental impacts of product cycles, while also presenting potential economic opportunities. Through a systematic literature review, the authors identify key factors influencing the adoption of the circular economy in the construction and demolition sector. The main contribution of the study is the development of a theoretical framework for implementing the circular economy in this sector, which includes 14 strategies distributed across the five stages of the construction and demolition life cycle activities. The framework highlights the importance of waste management and the recirculation of recovered materials as secondary building materials, positioning the circular economy as a strategic approach to promote sustainability in the construction industry.

The research by Norouzi et al. (2021) investigates the growing application of the circular economy (CE) in the construction industry, focusing on its potential to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impacts. The researchers conducted a quantitative scientific analysis of approximately 7000 documents published between 2005 and 2020 in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, using bibliometric indicators, citation networks, and multivariate statistical analysis. The results revealed five main clusters of keywords, with the top three being: energy and energy efficiency in buildings, recycling and waste management, and sustainable development. The analysis highlights the growing focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, life cycle assessment, renewable energy, and recycling over the past five years. The study also identifies several new research focuses, such as the development of alternative building materials, circular business models, and the relationship between circular economy, smart cities, and Industry 4.0, suggesting these areas as potential directions for future research in the field.

The study conducted by González and Chini (2020) explores the application of circular economy practices to reduce the amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste sent to landfills. In contrast to the traditional linear economy, where materials are extracted, used, and discarded, the circular economy aims to minimize waste and maximize the reuse and recycling of resources. This research addresses critical global challenges such as the increase in C&D waste due to population growth and urbanization, limited natural resources, and the scarcity of land for landfills. The built environment, a major consumer of resources and producer of waste, generated twice as much waste as municipal solid waste in the United States in 2015. The methodology used includes gathering recent statistics on C&D waste and analyzing case studies on circular economy practices. The goal of the study is to evaluate current waste management practices and provide recommendations to align C&D waste management with the principles of the circular economy, thereby reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

The construction industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the adoption of more sustainable methods, driven by the need to reduce environmental degradation and improve resource efficiency. The use of concrete instead of wood, reinforcement meshes instead of traditional steel bars, and the implementation of a circular economy are crucial steps toward achieving greener and more efficient construction. These methods not only reduce waste generation but also promote environmental preservation, aligning the industry with more sustainable practices that prioritize the reuse and recycling of materials. Furthermore, these methods offer operational advantages, such as cost reduction and improved safety and organization at construction sites.

Implementing a circular economy in the construction sector is essential for creating a more sustainable production cycle. With the support of public policies, the integration of advanced technologies, and the adoption of new practices, the industry can more effectively face environmental challenges. Recent research underscores the importance of a holistic approach that considers the material lifecycle and waste recycling. Additionally, the analysis of sustainable practices highlights the need for a paradigm shift, where reuse and waste minimization are priorities. The application of the circular economy is not just a trend, but a necessity to ensure sustainability in the future of civil construction.

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