Policies as Drivers for Circular Economy in the Construction Sector in the Nordics

Abstract

A circular economy (CE) represents the key alternative to the linear ‘take-make-consume-dispose’ economic model, that still predominates in the construction sector. This study investigates how policies support CE-focused businesses in the construction sector in the Nordics. A literature review, the creation of a database, a review of Nordic actors with a CE focus, and targeted interviews with actors across the value chain of the construction sector in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden enabled us to benchmark the CE policy landscape and assess how CE policies at different levels support CE business models in the construction sector. The results show that the construction sector is well represented in the CE policy frameworks and that many business opportunities are created when national and local policies are put into practice. The implementation of policies is mainly done via three key concepts, i.e., planning, requirements for sustainable constructions, and requirements for public procurement. It can be concluded that policies are drivers for the implementation of a CE and support CE business models in the Nordics.

Ombruk av bygningsdeler – læringspunkter fra forbildeprosjekter i Norge, Danmark og Belgia

“…I Belgia er rammevilkårene mer regionale, noe som framstår som en fordel for ombruk. Andre studier viser eksempelvis til at kommunene kan bli en viktig driver for ombruk gjennom innkjøpsmakten (Castell-Rüdenhausen et al 2021;Alhola et al 2018).…”

Circular Economy Development in the Construction Sector in Japan

“…For example, the availability and price of recovered and reusable materials and components are major barriers to CE in the construction sector. Moreover, there is a need to streamline reuse and recycling, and to make these products easily accessible [64]. CE development within the building industry can be advanced through a higher degree of reused and optimized materials choice combinations (e.g., wood, steel, and glass) to promote a simplified disassembly for reuse and recycling [5].…”

“…Policies that could promote CE could encompass, e.g., production standards and norms, circular procurement, tax reliefs for circular products, the facilitation of waste trading through virtual platforms, and awareness building [71]. For example, digitalization has been recognized as a key driver of CE and many barriers to CE, such as material availability, waste data, and quality of wastes, which can be solved through the implementation of online digital tools (e.g., tools for traceability) and supported by digital marketplaces for business-to-business trade of reusable products and recovered materials [64].…”

“…In addition, CE can be promoted, and many business opportunities can be created in the construction sector through implementation of local and national CE policies which focus on planning, requirements for public procurement, and requirements for sustainable construction [64]. The most relevant drivers for implementing CE in the construction sector include ecosystems, management commitment, the identification of valuable materials, and CE intermediaries [72].…”

“…ble construction [64]. The most relevant drivers for implementing CE in the construction sector include ecosystems, management commitment, the identification of valuable materials, and CE intermediaries [72].…”