The construction sector is the most material intensive sector in Europe. While good construction practices have led to high levels of recycling in the sector, the principles of circular economy do not simply consider good waste management practices, but also require the development of buildings and infrastructure that reduce dependence on material. This seems a challenge for the construction industry, but opportunities do exist to reduce material use, redesign our approach to buildings and to reduce waste.
This module consists of 4 themes which seek to identify circular economy opportunities within the sector.
Units 15A and 15B describe the scale of the resources used and some of the policy ares where the EU has encourage resource efficiency.
Units 16A and16B explore the importance of each stakeholder in the supply chain playing their role in reducing waste and how procurement in the supply chain and site waste management plans can be more circular.
Units 17A and 17B looks at material choices and their relationship with embodied carbon and energy.
Finally Units 18A and 18B introduce new innovative practices such as modular build and Building Information Modelling systems and the scope for rethinking the overall building from a refurbishment perpective.