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Study Reviews and Rethinking the Key Processes for Managing Building Materials to Enhance the Circular Economy in the AEC Industry

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  • Harrison Huang

    (College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    Center for Balance Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Lu Li

    (College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    Architectural Design & Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

Abstract

The rapidly accelerating economic development of newly industrialised countries (NICs) has created far-reaching environmental problems. The new construction of numerous infrastructures and buildings, particularly in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, has led to an exponential increase in the demand for raw materials and energy, which is leading to the depletion of natural resources. The approach to treating these buildings at the end of life has also raised concerns worldwide. Transforming the current linear development model into a circular economy is considered an effective solution. This paper reviews a broad range of relevant literature, extracting four key factors influencing building circularity (BC) from past studies. These factors are interpreted as four key processes dealing with building materials: pre-treatment, composition, decomposition, and post-treatment. We demonstrate how materials are treated throughout the building lifecycle to illustrate the interrelationships among these processes and to exemplify the potential of the key processes for effecting BC. Additionally, two examples are used to support the theoretical framework. This study intends to make contributions to circular economy theories and to provide references for policymakers and practitioners.

Suggested Citation

  • Harrison Huang & Lu Li, 2022. "Study Reviews and Rethinking the Key Processes for Managing Building Materials to Enhance the Circular Economy in the AEC Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:11941-:d:921624
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nuo Zhang & Qi Han & Bauke de Vries, 2021. "Building Circularity Assessment in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry: A New Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Safwat Hemidat & Ouafa Achouri & Loubna El Fels & Sherien Elagroudy & Mohamed Hafidi & Benabbas Chaouki & Mostafa Ahmed & Isla Hodgkinson & Jinyang Guo, 2022. "Solid Waste Management in the Context of a Circular Economy in the MENA Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-24, January.
    3. Leonora Charlotte Malabi Eberhardt & Anne van Stijn & Freja Nygaard Rasmussen & Morten Birkved & Harpa Birgisdottir, 2020. "Development of a Life Cycle Assessment Allocation Approach for Circular Economy in the Built Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Wang, Jiayuan & Li, Zhengdao & Tam, Vivian W.Y., 2014. "Critical factors in effective construction waste minimization at the design stage: A Shenzhen case study, China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 1-7.
    5. Ioannis Kostakis & Konstantinos P. Tsagarakis, 2022. "Social and economic determinants of materials recycling and circularity in Europe: an empirical investigation," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 68(2), pages 263-281, April.
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