Page 10 - Open Access December - 2025

POINT OF VIEW

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In response to the growing need for circularity in construction, [5] Huang, S., Liu, X., Xu, J., Li, H., and Zhao, Y. (2022). “Plastic
this paper developed a decision-making framework (Figure 1) waste management strategies and their environmental
that provides a systematic approach for evaluating construction aspects: A scientometric analysis and comprehensive
materials in line with circular economy principles. Using six review”, International Journal of Environmental Research
screening criteria (Table 1), the framework assesses materials’ and Public Health, Vol. 19, No. 8, Article No. 4556,
potential for reuse, guiding them through a decision point pp. 1-20. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19084556.
towards one of four pathways: reuse, recycle, downcycle, [6] Ellis, L. D., Badel, A. F., Chiang, M. L., Park, R. J. Y., and
or landfill. This structured, replicable process facilitates Chiang, Y. M. (2020). “Toward electrochemical synthesis of
informed material selection, reinforces the principle of material cement—An electrolyzer-based process for decarbonating
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custodianship by encouraging stakeholders to maintain
responsibility for materials throughout their lifecycle, and CaCO 3 while producing useful gas streams”, Proceedings
ensures that circular economy goals are operationalised in of the National Academy of Sciences of the United
practice. States of America, Vol. 117, No. 23, pp. 12584-12591.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.1821673116.
The paper further examined the role of green public [7] Çetin, S., Raghu, D., Honic, M., Straub, A., and Gruis, V.
procurement as a policy lever to promote the selection of (2023). “Data requirements and availabilities for material
sustainable, reusable materials and assessed the implications passports: A digitally enabled framework for improving the
of Scope 3 emissions for accountability across supply chains. By circularity of existing buildings”, Sustainable Production
identifying technical, economic, organisational, and regulatory and Consumption, Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 1-15. doi: 10.1016/j.
barriers and enablers, alongside digital innovations such as spc.2023.07.011.
material passports, the study integrates theoretical insights with
practical guidance. Academically, this work provides a rigorous [8] Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2021). “What is a circular
framework and synthesis for future research, while policymakers, economy?”, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Cowes, United
practitioners, and educators in the built environment benefit Kingdom. (Accessed on 15 September 2025 from https://
from actionable strategies to advance sustainable, resource- www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-
efficient construction. economy-introduction/overview).

ACKNOWLEDGMENT [9] Li, H., Bao, W., Xiu, C., Zhang, Y., and Xu, H. (2010).
“Energy conservation and circular economy in China’s
This paper is an output of the funded research project titled process industries”, Energy, Vol. 35, No. 11, pp. 4273-4281.
"Towards a Circular Economy: Exploring nanotechnology, plastics, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2009.04.021.
and additive manufacturing for the production of sustainable
concrete". The authors gratefully acknowledge the various [10] Benachio, G. L. F., Freitas, M. do C. D., and Tavares, S. F.
support received, including funding from UKIERI and SPARC. (2020). “Circular economy in the construction industry:
A systematic literature review”, Journal of Cleaner
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16 THE INDIAN CONCRETE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2025