Build Aotearoa 15: Building Circularity

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The construction industry plays a pivotal role in the quest for a sustainable, low-carbon future. Traditional construction practices follow a linear model: take, make, dispose. However, this approach leads to significant waste and resource depletion. Enter building circularity – a transformative concept that aims to design and construct buildings for long-term sustainability, ensuring materials can be reused, repurposed, or recycled at the end of their lifecycle.

The Hierarchy of Sustainability: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Building circularity hinges on the well-known mantra: reduce, reuse, recycle. It’s essential to understand that this isn’t just a catchy slogan – it’s a hierarchy. Our first goal should always be to reduce the amount of materials we use. By minimising material usage, we directly cut down on waste and resource consumption. Next, we focus on reusing materials. Reuse extends the life of products and materials, delaying the need for recycling. Finally, recycling comes into play when materials can no longer be reused in their current form, ensuring they are processed and repurposed rather than discarded.

From Demolition to Deconstruction

One practical application of building circularity is shifting from demolition to deconstruction. Traditional demolition results in a mixed pile of debris that’s challenging to sort and recycle. Deconstruction, however, involves carefully dismantling buildings so that components can be efficiently reused or recycled. This method not only reduces waste but also preserves the value of building materials, contributing to a circular economy.

The Case of Polystyrene Pods

Polystyrene pods are a common sight in construction, often used for insulation. Despite their prevalence, they provide minimal insulation and are primarily filler. When polystyrene is used as a slab, it can be incredibly difficult to separate from other materials. However, as pods, polystyrene has a unique advantage. These plastic pods can be easily separated from cured concrete, allowing for their reuse, repurposing, or recycling without contaminating the concrete. This highlights the importance of designing for deconstruction, and choosing materials and construction methods that facilitate future recovery and reuse.

Designing for the Future

As buildings become increasingly complex, incorporating a multitude of parts and materials, it’s crucial for designers, builders, and suppliers to consider the end of a building’s life from the very beginning. How can parts be made fixable, replaceable, and deconstructable? This forward-thinking approach ensures buildings are not only sustainable during their use but also at the end of their lifecycle.

Conclusion

Building circularity represents a significant shift in how we approach construction, emphasising sustainability at every stage. By reducing material use, reusing components, and recycling what can’t be reused, we can create buildings that contribute to a sustainable future. Deconstruction over demolition, and thoughtful material selection, are key steps in this journey.

Next time you see a building under construction, consider the choices being made. Are they aligned with the principles of building circularity? With the right decisions today, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and resource-efficient tomorrow.

Written with the assistance of AI.