Circular Economy Strategies for Sustainable Urban Development: Innovations in Waste Management and Building Materials

A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 670

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Interests: waste valorisation and management; materials science and engineering; building and construction practices; sustainable cities; environmental sustainability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To promote the circular economy framework, the use of innovative waste materials within building and construction materials or systems is critical. This Special Issue aims to explore and disseminate research on sustainable practices that incorporate waste byproducts, industrial residues, and recycled materials as alternatives to traditional building resources. Moreover, this issue covers a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to the following:

  • Material Development: Research on the development and characterization of new building materials derived from waste products, such as construction debris, agricultural byproducts, industrial waste, and municipal solid waste.
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Studies evaluating the environmental impact, energy consumption, and carbon footprint of construction materials made from waste, including comparisons with conventional materials.
  • Circular Economy: Investigations into the integration of waste materials into circular construction practices, promoting sustainability through resource efficiency and reduced environmental harm.
  • Innovative Construction Systems: Research on new construction systems and technologies that effectively utilize waste-derived materials, with a focus on enhancing performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Building Performance and Durability: Articles exploring the mechanical, thermal, acoustic, and fire-resistant properties of waste-based materials, as well as their long-term performance in real-world construction applications.
  • Economic and Social Impacts: Analyses of the economic feasibility and social benefits of using waste materials in construction, including cost savings, job creation, and social equity within the building industry.

This issue provides a platform for multidisciplinary research that promotes sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and innovation in the field of building and construction. It welcomes contributions from academia, industry professionals, and policymakers dedicated to advancing the use of waste materials as a solution to current global challenges in construction and sustainability.

Dr. Robert Haigh
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • waste
  • building materials
  • circular economy
  • sustainability
  • resource recovery

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

19 pages, 9734 KiB  
Article
A Life Cycle Assessment of HDPE Plastic Milk Bottle Waste Within Concrete Composites and Their Potential in Residential Building and Construction Applications
by Robert Haigh
Urban Sci. 2025, 9(4), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9040116 - 7 Apr 2025
Viewed by 493
Abstract
Plastic waste management remains a significant global challenge, with limited recycling opportunities contributing to its status as one of the highest waste producers. In Australia, the recovery rate for plastic waste is 12.5%, resulting in a high percentage of plastics being landfilled. Common [...] Read more.
Plastic waste management remains a significant global challenge, with limited recycling opportunities contributing to its status as one of the highest waste producers. In Australia, the recovery rate for plastic waste is 12.5%, resulting in a high percentage of plastics being landfilled. Common disposal methods, such as incineration and landfilling, are environmentally damaging, with incineration emitting harmful gases and landfilling causing contamination. Recycling, while preferable, faces difficulties due to contamination and infrastructure challenges. However, alternative solutions, such as integrating waste plastic into concrete, present an opportunity to both reduce plastic waste and enhance the economic value of recycled materials. This study evaluates the potential of waste plastic milk bottles (PMBs) in residential concrete by assessing their mechanical strength, environmental impact, and variability in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study demonstrated that replacing up to 10% of cement with silica fume-modified plastic milk bottle (SFPMB) waste granules maintained comparable compressive strength to traditional concrete. The addition of metakaolin to the SFPMB mix design (SFMKPMB) further improved the material’s strength by 28%. Life cycle assessment (LCA) results revealed reductions in global warming potential (GWP), human toxicity potential (HTP), and fossil depletion potential (FDP), with SFMKPMB showing the greatest environmental savings. A Monte Carlo simulation evaluated variability factors, revealing that additional transportation and energy requirements increased GHG emissions, though the SFMKPMB mix ultimately resulted in the lowest overall material GHG emissions. This study demonstrates the complexity of assessing “green” materials and highlights how material variability and energy use can influence the sustainability of waste-derived composites. Despite challenges, incorporating waste plastics into concrete offers a promising strategy for mitigating landfill waste and reducing environmental impacts, especially as renewable energy adoption increases. Full article
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