Americans love to own the latest in technology, fashion, and design. We are a consumer-driven society who tosses an item into the trash when the newest version hits the market. And, buying is so convenient...order an item on Amazon and receive it the next day.

In the 1970s, the phrase Reduce, Reuse, Recycle became popular to increase our awareness of the overflowing landfills. Today, this phrase has never been more important.

If you haven’t learned about a circular economy and its relationship to the built environment, you soon will. It takes Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to a new level.

Oxford defines a circular economy as “an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products, especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way.”

A circular economy applies to the AEC industry more than any other.

Buildings are the largest consumers of natural resources. They are the greatest contributors to Green House Gases (GHGs). Construction and demolition create huge amounts of waste. A circular building prioritizes the reuse and regeneration of materials.

What does this mean for architects?

North American architects will be encouraged to design circular buildings. The future goal (years or decades away) would be to never use a raw material in product manufacturing. The good news is that some European designers are already practicing the concept of a circular economy, and we can learn from their successes.

What are the practices that support a circular building?

Following are a few key concepts in a very simplified summary.

Reduce

You can go to any job site to see the amount of waste generated from the building process. Be proactive in the planning stage to purchase materials with the goal of little to no waste. Use BIM software and manufacturers that can assist you in minimizing waste.

Work with MEP engineers to reduce the energy needs of the building.

Choose local suppliers to reduce energy use from transportation.

Reuse

New build or renovation/restoration? Choosing a reno over a new build is one of the most impactful decisions you can make. Choose preservation which reuses much of the building’s materials. Remind yourself…if I don’t purchase the new product, I won’t generate the unseen waste it creates including the energy it takes to manufacture, ship, and install. Not to mention the need for raw materials.

Recycle

Recycle the waste from any job site. Partner with companies that recycle construction, demolition, and renovation waste (CDRW). Pay close attention to recycling the items on this list:

Steel

Concrete

Wood

Brick

Ceramics

Glass

Mortar

CDRW recycling companies keep waste out of landfills and put it back into production which reduces the future needs of raw materials.

Use those recycled resources mentioned above. Consider the materials you specify. For example, does the manufacturer source raw materials or do they use recycled materials? Many manufacturers buy back materials after a demolition or remodel like vinyl, aluminum, wood, or carpet. Others may use consumer recycled products like milk jugs or plastic grocery bags to create their durable products like commercial bathroom stalls.

Reconsider

What you specify makes a difference. Seek out manufacturers that are transparent about their manufacturing practices. Do they use recycled materials? If they use raw materials, do those materials come from sustainable sources? Does the manufacturing process support carbon-neutral practices? Does the manufacturer have a Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA)?

Circular building practices like these simple concepts support the reduction of carbon emissions and the preservation of the planet’s raw materials.