This guide covers circular construction in plain terms. Building and demolition create some of the largest waste streams in the economy. A growing number of projects are treating that material as a resource.
Reuse and recycling in practice for circular construction
Concrete can be crushed and used as aggregate. Steel is among the most recycled materials on earth. Wood, drywall, metals and even carpet can be separated and diverted from landfill with the right planning.
Design for disassembly
Some designers now plan how a building will be taken apart in the future. Bolted connections, standard components and good documentation make it easier to recover parts later.
The business angle for circular construction
Hauling and landfill fees add up. Salvaged materials can be sold. Some owners and cities also give credit toward permits or green certification for diversion rates.
Getting started
Set a waste diversion goal in the contract. Require sorting on site. Work with haulers who track and report what they recover. The first project is the hardest. After that, the process becomes routine and the savings add up.
Reuse starts with design for circular construction
The easiest material to reuse is the one planned for reuse. Designs that use standard sizes, mechanical fasteners instead of glue and clear records of what is inside a building make future disassembly far simpler and cheaper.
Where the money is
Steel, aluminum, copper, concrete aggregate and clean wood can all be recovered and sold or reused. Diverting waste from landfills lowers disposal fees, and some projects earn credit toward green building goals. Salvage partners can often handle pickup and sorting.
The hurdles
Reused materials need testing and documentation to meet code, and supply can be uneven. Still, as costs for new materials and disposal rise, builders that learn to reuse well will have an edge.
Related reading on circular construction
For more, see our guides on green building certifications and impact investing basics. For background from an outside source, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
