The Circular Economy in Construction

The construction sector is adopting the circular economy

The circular economy offers several solutions to the sustainability challenges of the construction sector. It helps address raw material shortages, reduces the ever-increasing production of waste, and tackles climate challenges. What impact will this model have on entrepreneurs? What are the resulting obligations, challenges, and prospects? And how can it be applied? On this page, you will find all the relevant information on circular construction to better prepare for the future.

What do we mean by circular economy? Our economy has relied on a linear model since the advent of industrialization. This model is based on the extraction of raw materials, transforming them into products that are sold to consumers and discarded at the end of their lifecycle. Each of these phases consumes energy, produces waste, and pollutes the environment. The circular economy operates on the principle that raw materials are valuable resources and places significant importance on preserving their value. Its goal is to keep products, their components, and materials in circulation for as long as possible through the following strategies:

• Making raw material consumption less excessive, more efficient, and effective (sharing economy, streamlining projects, etc.)

• Extending the lifespan of products and their components (reuse, repair and maintenance, upgrading, etc.)

• Reducing waste by finding useful applications (recycling, incineration with energy recovery, etc.)

Why the circular economy? It ensures a sustainable future for the construction sector.

Construction is a major industrial player, representing over 20 million jobs in Europe. It is not surprising that this sector has a colossal impact on the environment and climate. Some European data on this subject: construction consumes 50% of all extracted materials, produces 30% of waste, and is responsible for over 30% of CO2 emissions. By transitioning to a circular economy, we can build sustainably and limit the sector's environmental impact for decades to come.

It offers promising business prospects. The transition to a circular economy opens up attractive business opportunities, including in construction. It reduces the European Union's dependence on foreign raw materials and allows us to establish our own reserve of raw materials. This model also promotes collaboration, innovation, and economic growth while respecting the environment.

It will become essential in the short and long term. Europe does not hide its ambition to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and the circular economy is the cornerstone of this project. Therefore, direct and indirect obligations related to the circular economy action plan and the implementation of the green taxonomy are expected to be established in the coming years.

What impact on construction? The circular economy aims to limit waste production by emphasizing sustainable design, repair, maintenance, reuse, and recycling of products. This reduces our environmental impact, ensures better availability of raw materials, and creates jobs. It results in three fundamental principles regarding construction:

• Designing and constructing circular buildings

• Using recovered or recycled materials

• Creating business models that support these principles.