Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world faces many challenges due to the negative environmental impacts stemming from the construction and maintenance of built environments. Societies, governments and industry sectors worldwide have thus been seeking more efficient and sustainable methods of construction. Many interdisciplinary efforts have considered circular thinking in construction practices, maintenance technologies and asset management, integrating resource circularity into sustainability frameworks. This Special Issue will help to promote new research and innovation and breakthroughs for implementing circular economy practices in built environments, including infrastructures, buildings, tunnelling, stadiums, airports and many others. Topics that will be covered include the following:

(i) supporting designers and engineers in developing more innovative and sustainable buildings, infrastructures and built environments and

(ii) enabling national/local governments to adopt circular economy (CE) technologies, methods and innovation.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited, to the following: construction adaptability; benchmarking framework; deconstruction; stakeholder management; BIM and digital twin; sustainable materials; sustainable construction; sustainable asset management; sustainable development; net zero and NZEB concept; lifecycle assessment; smart cities; carbon neutrality; and resilience.

This Special Issue will also disseminate new research related to circular economy in collaboration with the EU COST.

Dr. Sakdirat Kaewunruen
Prof. Dr. Katerina Tsikaloudaki
Prof. Dr. Ruben P. Borg
Dr. Yunlong Guo
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Buildings buildings	3.1	3.4	2011	15.3 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Clean Technologies cleantechnol	4.1	6.1	2019	33.5 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Recycling recycling	4.6	6.8	2016	20.9 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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All Buildings Clean Technol. Materials Recycling Sustainability

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18 pages, 5384 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Hurdles to a Circular Built Environment: A Look at the Economic and Market Barriers

by Philip Griffiths, Moses Itanola, Ana Andabaka and Dzintra Atstāja

Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1332; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081332 - 17 Apr 2025

Viewed by 197

Abstract

The circular economy is considered the best principle through which sustainable practices may be established. Mineral exhaustion, decarbonisation, and waste elimination can all be addressed through a circular economy. The built environment is one of the largest waste producers and a significant user [...] Read more.

The circular economy is considered the best principle through which sustainable practices may be established. Mineral exhaustion, decarbonisation, and waste elimination can all be addressed through a circular economy. The built environment is one of the largest waste producers and a significant user of materials such as concrete and steel. However, there are considerable barriers to the adoption of a circular economy. The objective of the study was to identify, examine, and comprehend the main challenges that impede the implementation and scaling of circular practices within the built environment. As part of the CircularB network, a questionnaire was launched in 2024 to gather opinions on the technical, political, regulatory, cultural, societal, economic, and market barriers to circular economy from built environment professionals. This paper focuses on the economic and market barriers, which were recognised as the most important according to the insights of 270 respondents. The hurdles investigated include extra costs of building insurance, inadequate collaboration, linear public procurement, unwillingness to take back used components, low awareness of exchange marketplaces, and market disconnection due to significant transport distances. Addressing these barriers plays a crucial role in advancing a circular built environment, and all stakeholders must explore solutions to overcome them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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29 pages, 3818 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Supply Chain (Re)Design and Pricing for Biomass Ash Valorization as Supplementary Cementitious Materials

by Juan G. Villegas, Germán Álvarez-López, Leyla Y. Jaramillo and Manuel Romero-Sáez

Recycling 2025, 10(2), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10020034 - 1 Mar 2025

Viewed by 528

Abstract

Biomass ash is a byproduct of renewable energy generation that can be used in the cement and concrete industries as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to reduce their environmental impact. However, using biomass ashes as an SCM presents challenges, such as the distant [...] Read more.

Biomass ash is a byproduct of renewable energy generation that can be used in the cement and concrete industries as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to reduce their environmental impact. However, using biomass ashes as an SCM presents challenges, such as the distant location of crops and processing plants from cement and concrete plants, the absence of a supply chain to connect the biomass ash and cement/concrete producers, and the lack of a mechanism to set the price of the ash. We adopted a supply chain perspective to evaluate the environmental and economic impact of incorporating biomass ashes as an SCM in the cement and concrete industries. We developed a bilevel optimization model considering the strategic behavior of the two stakeholders of the supply chain: the biomass ash generator, which maximizes its profits by setting the price of the ash, and the cement/concrete manufacturer and minimizes its total operating costs, including the processes necessary to adapt its supply chain for the use of new raw material. We validated the model using data from the Colombian context at a nationwide industrial level. Our results indicate that introducing SCMs can potentially reduce CO₂ emissions without increasing the cost of the supply chain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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24 pages, 5116 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Cultural and Societal Challenges for Circular Strategies Implementation

by Vlatka Rajčić, Yi-Hsuan Lin, Mirjana Laban, Katerina Tsikaloudaki and Viorel Ungureanu

Sustainability 2025, 17(1), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010220 - 31 Dec 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1444

Abstract

With the growing emphasis on sustainability, awareness of the environmental impacts and negative potential inherent in current business systems has increased. The circular economy (CE) represents an innovative approach that transforms the traditional linear economy into a restorative system, focussing on extending the [...] Read more.

With the growing emphasis on sustainability, awareness of the environmental impacts and negative potential inherent in current business systems has increased. The circular economy (CE) represents an innovative approach that transforms the traditional linear economy into a restorative system, focussing on extending the life cycle of materials through continuous circulation. The Circular B project aims to develop an international framework that considers multiple facets of the CE, including material and asset management and the use of components in the built environment throughout the entire life cycle of the value chain. The primary objective of the CE is to eliminate waste and pollution (e.g., carbon reduction) and strengthen the resilience of the value chain. However, the current implementation of circular strategies has not yet been found to be effective, with several challenges that cause adverse impacts. This study focuses on investigating and analyzing these challenges, particularly in the cultural and societal domains, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The scope of the questionnaire was to identify (1) awareness and understanding, (2) cultural attitude, (3) barriers to adoption, (4) incentives and motivations, (5) participation and engagement, and (6) education and training. A questionnaire was distributed to 270 respondents, with anonymous responses collected. The survey included eight questions specifically designed to address cultural and societal challenges. The survey was conducted with participants from various sectors, including academia, local authorities, industry professionals, consultants, and others collected from all over the world, ensuring diverse perspectives. The main weaknesses found based on this survey are related to (1) budget constraints due to high costs of reintegrating in the loop of materials or components due to the complexity of circular processes, (2) applicability on the market remains still limited, (3) the importance of planning and design in the initial phases, (4) the importance of establishing a comprehensive network to enhance collaboration among stakeholders, and (5) inadequate policies. The insights gained from this study will help stakeholders, such as constructors, maintainers, engineers, designers, and consultants, across various organizations in the value chain to develop practical solutions to mitigate these challenges and improve the overall business system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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21 pages, 2050 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Decision-Making for Sustainable Demolition Waste Management by Combining a Building Information Modelling-Based Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment Framework and Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Aiding Approach

by Dongchen Han and Abbas Rajabifard

Recycling 2024, 9(4), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9040070 - 20 Aug 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2346

Abstract

Increasing efforts have been devoted to promoting sustainable demolition waste management (DWM) from a life cycle thinking perspective. To this end, facilitating sustainability-oriented decision-making for DWM planning requires a sustainability assessment framework for assessing the trade-offs among multifaceted criteria. This study develops a [...] Read more.

Increasing efforts have been devoted to promoting sustainable demolition waste management (DWM) from a life cycle thinking perspective. To this end, facilitating sustainability-oriented decision-making for DWM planning requires a sustainability assessment framework for assessing the trade-offs among multifaceted criteria. This study develops a BIM-based DWM sustainability assessment approach to facilitate the life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) and decision-making by integrating LCSA-related properties and hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Aiding (MCDA) methods into a BIM environment using Dynamo visual scripting. A dynamic linkage is developed in the streamlined BIM-based LCSA process, where the enriched Industry Foundation Class (IFC) models are coupled with custom LCSA data templates to achieve seamless data exchange between the BIM platform and external LCA tools. Subsequently, hybrid MCDA methods convert the assessment results into DWM scenario ranking. A pilot study verifies the applicability of the BIM-based framework. The results unveil that the sustainability score ascended with the recycling rate. The optimal DWM alternative with the highest recycling rate yields the highest sustainability score at 91.63. Conversely, a DWM alternative reflecting the ‘status quo’ in China’s recycling industry has the lowest score at 8.37, significantly lower than the baseline scenario with a 50% recycling rate. It is worth noting that the ‘growth curve’ of the sustainability score continuously flattens as the target recycling rate escalates. The increment in recycling rate from the “Australian standard” scenario to the optimal scenario is 18.4%, whereas the sustainability score merely increases by 2.3%, implying that the former scenario arrived at an optimum point for maximising the cost-efficiency of DWM under the predefined settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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19 pages, 6414 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Balancing Emerging Risks Considering the Life-Cycle Perspectives of Submerged Floating Tunnels for a Resilient Future Infrastructure

by Shweta Velde, Jessada Sresakoolchai and Sakdirat Kaewunruen

Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5596; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135596 - 29 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1720

Abstract

Infrastructure expansion considerably contributes to greenhouse gas emissions causing the critical global issue of climate change. In recent years, submerged floating tunnels (SFTs) have thus been developed as a sustainable and efficient solution for crossing large water bodies instead of resource-demanding superstructures (e.g., [...] Read more.

Infrastructure expansion considerably contributes to greenhouse gas emissions causing the critical global issue of climate change. In recent years, submerged floating tunnels (SFTs) have thus been developed as a sustainable and efficient solution for crossing large water bodies instead of resource-demanding superstructures (e.g., cable stayed bridges). This research delves into a comparative analysis of two SFT design alternatives: SFTs with pontoons and SFTs with tethers centered on environmental sustainability and long-term viability. By incorporating life-cycle assessments and quantitative risk analysis methodologies, our study aims to ascertain the optimal SFT design for real-world application. Our study embarks on detailed investigations into SFTs and then gathers data on material quantities and LCA studies, identifying potential hazards and comparing life cycle performance. Our new findings highlight the significant advantage of the SFT with a tethered design, which has a lower dependency on materials, particularly steels, resulting in lower CO₂ emissions. Additionally, in terms of risk, the SFT with tethers has a lower risk profile in general, especially in situations, including environmental elements, like rising water levels, potential tsunamis, and storms. This design is a promising solution for sustainable and resilient infrastructure development, coinciding with global objectives to cut down carbon emissions and enrich potential benefits in the face of increasing climatic uncertainties. Not only does this study scrutinize the risk and environmental aspects of both SFT designs, but it also opens the path for future infrastructure projects that emphasize engineering robustness and environmental sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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27 pages, 1645 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Circular Economy and Buildings as Material Banks in Mitigation of Environmental Impacts from Construction and Demolition Waste

by Jordana de Oliveira, Dusan Schreiber and Vanusca Dalosto Jahno

Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 5022; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125022 - 12 Jun 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2750

Abstract

The circular economy is one of the main strategies for mitigating the environmental impacts of civil construction due to the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW). In this transition, evaluating alternatives for using buildings as material banks is a way to make [...] Read more.

The circular economy is one of the main strategies for mitigating the environmental impacts of civil construction due to the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW). In this transition, evaluating alternatives for using buildings as material banks is a way to make the process of reusing construction components more efficient. Thus, the article aimed to evaluate the state of the art of publications on the relationship between the circular economy in civil construction and the conceptual model of buildings as material banks to mitigate the environmental impacts of CDW. The authors chose the methodological design of Systematic Literature Review, using the Scopus and Web of Science databases for research, with the following search strings: (“construction” or “civil construction” or “built environment” or “construction industry”) and (“circular economy” or “circular construction”) and (“material banks” or “BAMB” or “buildings as material banks” or “building stocks” or “building materials”) and (“construction waste” or “demolition waste” or “CDW” or “construction and demolition waste” or “environmental impacts”). After a screening in which only articles published in journals were selected, from 2013 to 2023, inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, to evaluate only those that had a direct relationship with CDW management through circular economy strategies and buildings such as banks of material. As a result, 93 articles remained, which were analyzed using a quantitative and qualitative approach. The predominance of applied studies was also noted through case studies that evaluate the management of materials and waste in the urban environment. The qualitative analysis, carried out using a SWOT matrix, highlighted the strengths of the buildings, such as material banks, the potential reduction of resource extraction and urban mining, and promoting the circulation of construction products. However, the recycling of waste, such as aggregates, still stands out as the main end-of-life strategy adopted, even without occupying the top of the waste hierarchy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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15 pages, 1694 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Introducing a Novel Concept for an Integrated Demolition Waste Recycling Center and the Establishment of a Stakeholder Network: A Case Study from Germany

by Magdalena Zabek, Pauline Jegen and Lillith Kreiss

Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 3916; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16103916 - 8 May 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1761

Abstract

Using recycled aggregates has many positive environmental impacts because of the conservation of natural resources and minimization of waste. The use of recycled aggregates in downcycling processes is already common in Germany, whereas utilizing them to produce high-quality recycled concrete is rarely applied [...] Read more.

Using recycled aggregates has many positive environmental impacts because of the conservation of natural resources and minimization of waste. The use of recycled aggregates in downcycling processes is already common in Germany, whereas utilizing them to produce high-quality recycled concrete is rarely applied in practice. The reasons behind this lag have been investigated based on surveys and interviews with stakeholders. Miscommunication and missing information were identified in all stakeholder groups. Therefore, establishing a robust network and facilitating knowledge transfer by specifying the demand for recycled aggregates in the case study region have been considered as prerequisites. Therefore, the paper presents a novel concept of a stakeholder network for an integrated construction and demolition waste center. The conceptualization integrates the recycling companies and construction product manufacturers in one venue with research, service, and educational divisions. The design of the facilities is based on calculations regarding future construction activities and the demand for concrete production. The proposed concept aims to supply the region in the west of Germany with high-quality recycled products while also establishing a robust network that offers benefits in terms of logistical optimization and knowledge transfer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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27 pages, 7480 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Footprint Reduction by Reclaiming Condensed Water

by Yiu-Kuen Leung and Ka Wai Eric Cheng

Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3867; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093867 - 5 May 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1970

Abstract

Everyday activity incurs carbon footprints, which are classified as personal, production, organizational and national, and may be assessed by input–output analysis (IOA), life-cycle assessment (LCA), or the combination of LCA and IOA methods. Notwithstanding international standards, like ISO 14064 and Publicly Available Specification [...] Read more.

Everyday activity incurs carbon footprints, which are classified as personal, production, organizational and national, and may be assessed by input–output analysis (IOA), life-cycle assessment (LCA), or the combination of LCA and IOA methods. Notwithstanding international standards, like ISO 14064 and Publicly Available Specification (PAS) released for standardization, carbon footprint results can vary and sometimes lack consistency that due to variations in data sources, crossover boundary definitions, and operational boundaries for indirect emissions. The novelty of this study is the direct utilization of condensed water in an existing cooling water system, without the need for prior wastewater treatment, as typically required for greywater. The lack of practical case studies exploring the water–energy nexus in the context of reclaiming condensed water for evaporative cooling tower systems makes this research particularly significant. This highlights that condensed water can be a straightforward and cost-effective solution for both water conservation and energy savings. This case study highlights the benefits of reclaiming condensed water as supplementary cooling water, which proved effective in water quality treatment and dilution augmentation, considering that a higher cycle of concentration (CoC) was achieved, leading to reduced bleed-off that resulted in a water saving of 44% for make-up and 80% for bleed-off water, and energy savings from 6.9% to 13.1% per degree Celsius of condensing refrigerant temperature (CRT). The analytical assessment revealed that reclaiming condensed water is a promising answer for green building and is a by-product of condensation without extra power demands, avoiding the generation of an increased carbon footprint and exacerbation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from freshwater resource extraction, and for the production of energy-efficient devices or substitutions. By eliminating the need for wastewater treatment, this research enhances the practicality and feasibility of direct use of condensed water in various applications. This approach not only promotes sustainability by conserving water and energy but also renews interest among proponents of green building practices. It has the potential to accelerate the adoption of this method and integrate it into green building designs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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22 pages, 2502 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Cultivating Sustainable Construction: Stakeholder Insights Driving Circular Economy Innovation for Inclusive Resource Equity

by Ferhat Karaca, Aidana Tleuken, Rocío Pineda-Martos, Sara Ros Cardoso, Daniil Orel, Rand Askar, Akmaral Agibayeva, Elena Goicolea Güemez, Adriana Salles, Huseyin Atakan Varol and Luis Braganca

Buildings 2024, 14(4), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14040935 - 28 Mar 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2604

Abstract

Due to its intricate production processes, complex supply chains, and industry-specific characteristics, the construction industry faces unique challenges in adopting circular economy (CE) principles that promote resource equity. To address this issue, this study aims to delve into identifying stakeholders’ opinions and perceptions [...] Read more.

Due to its intricate production processes, complex supply chains, and industry-specific characteristics, the construction industry faces unique challenges in adopting circular economy (CE) principles that promote resource equity. To address this issue, this study aims to delve into identifying stakeholders’ opinions and perceptions regarding key CE strategies across different stages of the building life cycle (BLC). Both European and non-European stakeholders within the “CircularB” COST Action network and beyond participated in this research. Three methods were employed to assess stakeholders’ opinions: an online survey, a structured survey with a semi-guided workshop, and creative thinking round table discussions. Natural language processing (NLP), specifically topic modelling and sentiment analysis, was used to analyse the data collected from the online survey, which gathered text-based opinions from 209 participants on the cost-benefit aspects of circularity strategies. The structured survey, which collected data from 43 workshop participants, evaluated the perceived importance of CE strategies across various BLC phases and assessed the adoption of selected CE strategies in current or past projects. Finally, the Six Thinking Hats^® activity, employed in the round table discussions, generated ideas from 25 professionals regarding the broader implementation challenges and opportunities of CE in construction. The research findings highlight the need to bridge the gap between theory and practice by fostering active industry stakeholder involvement in the transition to a CE model. The analyses of the collected stakeholder opinions through the three activities contribute to proactive and collaborative efforts aimed at advancing resource equity in the construction sector and promoting just and inclusive resource use. In summary, this research offers a comprehensive understanding of stakeholders’ opinions on CE strategies and provides guidance for the development of targeted policies and strategies to accelerate the integration of CE principles in the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Circular Economy Innovations and Breakthroughs for Built Environments)

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