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This paper presents the results of Portuguese case studies on developing an industrial network around a construction site and three zero-waste demolition projects. The case studies analysed to what extent it is possible to achieve a significant reduction of the solid waste produced and an overall decrease in energy and water consumption. The results show that the reduction targets could be achieved by implementation of good practices in waste management and the development of networks to allow an increase in the reuse and recycling rates of wasted materials and residual water. At the construction site, overall achievement of reduction rates was additionally enforced by the substitution of inputs with strong potential impacts on the decrease of fresh water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions along the supply chain.

This paper reports on a study to develop a construction resource efficiency stakeholder network in the UK. The primary stakeholders in the network were the client, designer and main contractor -the decision-makers on construction techniques, materials and products. The paper outlines the rationale for the study, development of waste-prevention measures and industrial networks, progressive implementation in three separate construction activities, barriers and practical constraints, key results, conclusions and recommendations. Improvements were achieved through increased specification and use of sustainably produced construction materials, greater separation of materials for recycling, increased reuse of materials and behaviour changes in energy and water use as a result of on-site monitoring.

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