According to the World Economic Forum, the construction industry is the largest global consumer of resources and raw materials. On the other hand, a significant portion of these materials are not used effectively. For example, in the United States, about 40% of solid waste comes from construction and demolition, which directly contradicts global efforts to create a sustainable world.
The good news is that circular construction is slowly reshaping the construction industry with sustainable practices that benefit the environment, improve people’s quality of life, and add a new stream of revenue for construction companies. Do you want to know how it works?
What is Circular Construction?
Before we talk about circular construction, we have to understand the concept of circular economies. The World Economic Forum defines a circular economy as “an industrial system that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design”. In a nutshell, circular economies are very connected to the idea of sustainability and the 4 R’s: reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery.
Circular construction is committed to reducing waste and maximizing the value of materials used in each step of a project. There are countries already discussing strategies to avoid disposal of resources that still have some utility and value.
The European Union is debating a goal to recycle 70% of all municipal waste by 2030, and to make it illegal to send recyclable materials to landfills by 2025. Construction companies will have to adapt to these new laws if they pass.
Benefits of Circular Construction
While circular construction is a radical change for the industry, it comes with a few benefits. Besides protecting the environment by reducing waste, it can help construction companies make extra cash. For example, rock and brick can be used for gravel or erosion control, and hardwood can be recycled as long as it stays dry. If construction companies find a way to make circular construction viable, they’re not only helping the environment but also increasing their revenue.
CREED LA fights to ensure that developers pay fair wages to all the hard-working construction professionals throughout the industry while simultaneously providing them with quality health care, continued training, and trustworthy retirement plans. To learn more about how our non-profit organization supports those building a better, greener world for us all, contact CREED LA online or at (877) 810-7473.