Scoping study for building the future – circular economy (in progress)

What we are doing and why

With construction and demolition materials accounting for 44 per cent of all waste generated in Australia and the building sector’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions at a record high, the move to a circular economy presents a significant opportunity for positive change.

Given the complex socio-political and economic factors at play, and the potential competing needs of key stakeholders, this scoping study will form a solid foundation on which to plan the necessary steps and actions to enable the transition to a circular economy.

The research, led by Queensland University of Technology’s Professor Leonie Barner, will provide a roadmap for the Australian property and construction industry to create a circular economy, which covers the end-to-end management of construction materials by maximising resource productivity and minimising or eliminating or reusing construction waste.

This is the first project under the Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre’s Special Interest Projects (SIP) Program. SIPs have a topic of broad, mutual concern to all Building 4.0 partners and allow for collaboration and accelerated execution of the project.

What we have achieved so far

This research project commenced in June 2023 and is due for completion in 2023-24.