Page 1 - Open Access December - 2025

POINT OF VIEW

ENHANCING CIRCULAR ECONOMY

IN CONSTRUCTION: A REVIEW

OF REUSABLE MATERIALS FOR

CRADLE-TO-CRADLE UPEKSHA MADANAYAKE*

RESOURCE UTILISATION IRENE JOSA
CHIKA UDEAJA
SHEN WEI

[2]
Abstract and around 16 % of annual water consumption . In addition
to the heavy reliance on virgin resources, the sector generates
The construction industry is a major consumer of raw materials substantial amount of construction and demolition (C&D)
and a significant source of waste, making the integration waste . For instance, in 2020, it has been estimated that the UK
[3]
of circular economy (CE) principles essential for long-term generated 59.4 million tonnes of non-hazardous construction
sustainability. This paper reviews the role of circular reusable and demolition (C&D) waste, of which 55.0 million tonnes was
materials in achieving cradle-to-cradle (C2C) resource utilisation recovered . Steel and concrete are among the most widely
[4]
within the construction sector. It focuses on strategies for reuse used construction materials, valued for their strength and
such as materials selection, design for disassembly, supply chain versatility. Concrete production, however, depends heavily
logistics, regulatory frameworks, and environmental impacts. the
on cement, with approximately 4.4 billion tonnes of cement
review also barriers and practical challenges to implementation. produced globally in 2019 to meet demand . Notably, the
[5]
Findings show that not all materials are suitable for reuse, and cement manufacturing industry is responsible for approximately
that reuse does not inherently reduce environmental impact, 8 % of global carbon emissions .
[6]
particularly due to recovery and transport activities. Strategic
material selection is therefore critical, since unsuitable materials The construction industry stands at a critical juncture in its
may degrade and ultimately require replacement, undermining pursuit of sustainable development. As global urbanisation
the intended benefits. Addressing these challenges require accelerates and resource consumption surges, the sector,
attention to supply chain pressures, costs involved, and historically characterised by linear production, use, and disposal
regulatory constraints. Policy incentives, standardised material models, has become a significant contributor to environmental
passports, and sector-wide collaboration emerge as key degradation . Construction and demolition activities
[3]
enablers. This review contributes to ongoing discussions by account for a substantial amount of raw material use, energy
providing a focused synthesis on how reusable materials can consumption, and waste generation . In response, there is a
[7]
advance sustainability and resource efficiency in construction. growing imperative to transition from traditional linear practices
toward a circular economy (CE) framework that emphasises
Keywords: Circular economy; Construction; Material passports;
Cradle-to-cradle; Green public procurement; Scope-3. resource efficiency, waste minimisation, and sustainable life
[8]
cycle thinking . This paper reviews and synthesises current
knowledge on reusable construction materials to advance
1. INTRODUCTION
circular economy and Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) practices. It
The construction industry has long played a pivotal role develops a conceptual decision-making framework for reuse-
in driving economic growth. In all countries, construction first material selection, illustrated through case studies. The
productivity contributes about 5-7 % of the total GDP . Its study also examines enabling policy instruments, including
[1]
environmental and social impacts, however, have become green public procurement, and identifies key barriers and
increasingly concerning in recent years. Globally, building enablers for practical implementation. The focus is on strategic
construction alone consumes approximately 40 % of raw stone, material selection and policy insights that support sustainable
gravel and sand, 25 % of virgin wood, 40 % of total energy use, construction practices.

THE INDIAN CONCRETE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2025 7
* Corresponding author: Upeksha Madanayake, Email: u.h.madanayake@reading.ac.uk