Page 2 - Open Access December - 2025

POINT OF VIEW

2. METHODOLOGY resource extraction as well as 25 % of solid waste generated
[15]
in the world . Many previous studies have noted that the
This review draws on a structured search of Scopus, Web construction sector predominantly followed a linear economic
of Science, and Google Scholar to identify recent studies model characterised by the ‘take-make-dispose’ approach
on circular economy and reusable materials in construction as key contributing factor to its environmental impact [16-18] .
published between 2010 and 2025. Keywords such as circular Using materials for constructing buildings and infrastructure
economy, cradle to cradle, construction materials, reuse, and that are designed for one-time use and lack potential for
recycling were used in different combinations. Only peer- reuse, and then disposing of them at the end of their life, has
reviewed articles, conference papers, and systematic reviews worsened the situation. Additionally, the premature disposal of
within the built environment were included. Titles and abstracts construction materials or their components (before they reach
were screened, followed by a full-text review, with a record their functional/ economic/ legal/ economic life) results in a
of the selection process kept in a PRISMA flow diagram. The significant loss of economic value by wasting the embedded
synthesis of this body of work informs not only the thematic energy, labour and materials . As the traditional linear model
[18]
review but also the development of the conceptual framework, heavily rely on virgin resources and exposes industries to supply
which is tested and illustrated through a case study. chain vulnerabilities and price fluctuations, it highlights the
urgent need for a more regenerative and resource-efficient
3. RETHINKING THE TRADITIONAL “TAKE- economic system.
MAKE-DISPOSE” MODEL
4. CIRCULAR ECONOMY AS A PARADIGM
The world today faces critical challenges that threaten human SHIFT
[9]
survival (Korhonen et al., 2018), economic stability , and the
[10]
integrity of natural ecosystems . These challenges stem from Circular Economy (CE) as a sustainable solution is gaining
a range of interrelated factors, including population growth, momentum due to its promise to address the aforementioned
urbanisation, weak governance and policy failures, unsustainable shortcomings of the traditional linear model. This evolving
economic systems, resource depletion, climate change, loss concept has several schools of thoughts, but its most widely
of biodiversity, pollution, waste accumulation, unsustainable accepted foundation is grounded in three dominant principles:
production practices, and many others that collectively 1) Eliminate waste and pollution; 2) Circulate products and
[8]
intensify pressure on environmental, social, and economic materials (at their highest value); and 3) Regenerate nature .
systems [8,10-12]. Among these various contributing factors, The first principle eliminating the waste and pollution is rooted
resource depletion is particularly prominent, as it threatens in the idea that “there is no waste in nature, it is a concept we
human survival by limiting access to essential resources, have introduced” . In the context of construction, the economy
[8]
such as food, water and energy. It also jeopardises economic is filled with buildings, roads and many other built assets that
stability by increasing production costs and disrupting supply have been designed overlooking their end-of-life outcome, with
chains; and compromises the integrity of natural ecosystems little consideration given to what happens after its use phase.
by accelerating habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and This first principle is a paradigm shift, as it encourages treating
environmental degradation [13,14] . Resource depletion is largely waste as a design flaw rather than an inevitable byproduct.
driven by the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model When applied in the early design stages of construction, it
[15]
adopted across many sectors . The primary drawback of promotes a circular economy approach, in which materials are
this approach is that natural resources are consumed at a specified with the intention of re-entering the economy at the
rate faster than they can regenerate, often without sufficient end of their use. In doing so, it facilitates the transition from
awareness that many of these resources are finite and may soon the traditional linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a more
[11]
be exhausted . This issue is further exacerbated by excessive circular and regenerative system. How materials are facilitated
waste generation, as materials are frequently disposed of to re-enter the economy is defined by the second principle
without being reused or recycled, resulting in large volumes of which is: circulate products and materials (at their highest value).
waste ending up in landfills or incinerators, and contributing to Materials can be circulated by better maintained, reused, shared
pollution and long-term environmental damage. Unsustainable repaired, refurbished, remanufactured, and, as a last resort,
practices in resource extraction and disposal of them further recycled . The building products or their components which are
[8]
drive environmental degradation, including biodiversity loss, made from biological materials can safely return to nature and
[16]
deforestation, and climate change . Out of all the sectors that help regenerate the land. This also means that materials can be
contributes to this resource depletion, the construction industry kept using for a longer period time, either as a product or, when
plays a disproportionately large role in environmental impact, they can no longer be used, as components or raw materials.
being responsible for more than 30 % of the world’s natural This way of thinking marks a paradigm shift, as it reformulates

8 THE INDIAN CONCRETE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2025