Advancing Circular Economy in Construction: Recycling and Reusing Construction Waste and Demolition Waste for Sustainable Building Development

The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of natural resources and generators of solid waste globally. Construction and demolition waste (CDW) constitutes a significant proportion of landfill volumes, contributing substantially to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. As urbanization accelerates and building lifecycles shorten, the need to minimise waste generation, enhance recycling rates, and transform CDW into valuable secondary resources has become imperative. The circular economy (CE) paradigm presents a transformative approach to addressing these challenges by promoting closed-loop systems and sustainable lifecycle management of construction materials.

This study systematically evaluates contemporary methodologies for the sorting, processing, and repurposing of CDW into high-quality recycled aggregates and alternative building components. Drawing on a comprehensive review of comparative international case studies, material performance testing, and lifecycle assessment data, the research examines the structural integrity, economic viability, and environmental benefits of incorporating recycled CDW materials into new construction projects. Findings demonstrate that well-structured circular practices can divert up to 70% of CDW from landfills while significantly lowering the carbon footprint associated with building material production.

The study highlights critical enablers and barriers to scaling CE adoption and emphasises the urgent need for supportive policy frameworks, regulatory incentives, and industry-wide collaboration. By bridging theoretical principles with practical implementation, this research contributes to the advancement of circular construction practices and supports the transition from the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model toward a regenerative, closed-loop built environment. Implications for policymakers, practitioners, and future research are discussed.