The move towards a circular economy is gaining momentum but poses challenges for the construction sector.
- Regulatory changes have sparked a shift towards material reuse, but traditional habits are difficult to overcome.
- The GLA’s Circular Economy Statements are influencing more developers to consider the reuse of construction materials.
- Industry experts stress that while technical barriers have been reduced, economic factors still hinder full adoption of circular practices.
- Key developments showcase an increase in recycled materials use, yet systemic change is required for broader impact.
Regulatory shifts have incentivised the construction industry to reconsider the disposal of materials, marking a notable change post-Covid. Roy Fishwick, managing director of Cleveland Steel and Tubes, observed a rise in interest regarding reused steel, a sentiment echoed by Katherine Adams of Reusefully who noted increased awareness around circular practices. The Greater London Authority’s requirement for Circular Economy Statements catalysed this shift, urging large-scale developments to integrate waste reduction principles.
Circularity demands a paradigm shift—one that requires the retention and reusability of materials over extended periods. As the Circular City Centre of the European Investment Bank outlines, this entails flexible building designs and sustained infrastructure maintenance. Where complete replacement is necessary, the reuse of construction elements, potentially requiring remanufacturing, is pivotal. Eoin Bailey from Celsa Steel UK underscores the misconception associating recycling directly with circular economy efforts, advocating for a design ethos that eliminates frequent replacements.
Pre-demolition audits conducted by firms like Reusefully assess reusable materials, prioritising a select few for practical reintegration, explains Adams. Steel emerges as a highly reusable material, with developers like GPE salvaging structural steel for subsequent projects, including 180 Piccadilly. Other materials, including carpets and ceiling tiles, see limited reuse due to complex extraction and compliance processes.
Significant hurdles to circularity lie within the economic realm, where dismantling a building with precision for material recovery incurs higher expenses, as Fishwick highlights. The introduction of Circular Economy Statements by planning authorities, similar to the GLA, could expedite change. While technical challenges around the reuse of materials have been largely addressed, financial feasibility remains an obstacle to widespread adoption.
Industrial practices reveal the construction industry’s incremental progress towards circularity. Asphalt recycling exemplifies this progression, noted by FM Conway’s deployment of high-recycled-content materials for road surfacing. Mark Flint acknowledges the logistical and systemic advancements in recycling, while Eoin Bailey illuminates the inherent challenges posed by economic systems that are not aligned to support circular practices.
Recycling statistics serve as a testament to the current trajectory, with FM Conway’s operations exemplifying asphalt reuse reaching nearly full circularity. Simultaneously, the steel industry faces its own set of challenges. UK Steel reports a large proportion of scrap being exported with minimal domestic recycling, leading to a reliance on imported, high-carbon manufacturing processes. Companies like Celsa Steel UK, utilising electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy, reflect a more sustainable production model.
Efforts to scale steel reuse are underway, as seen with the Disrupt II project that involves alliances with demolition engineers. However, the consensus among experts like Fishwick posits that achieving more than 20 per cent reuse could be ambitious. Despite technological advances, the economic and systemic barriers present significant challenges that require innovative policy and planning solutions to enable the transformation towards true circularity in construction.
A transformative shift in policy and economic structures is vital for true circular economy adherence in construction.
