Engineering and Technology | Open Access |

Advancing Circularity In Construction: Integrating Material Reuse, Recycling, And Sustainable Procurement For The Built Environment

Aarav N. Whitaker , Global Institute for Sustainable Built Environments, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

The construction sector is a major consumer of raw materials and a significant generator of waste. Transitioning from linear to circular material flows in construction requires integrated approaches encompassing material science, waste processing technologies, procurement strategies, and policy and organizational mechanisms. This paper synthesizes evidence from technical studies on recycling and reuse of construction materials, case studies on deconstruction practices, life-cycle perspectives, material flow analysis, and procurement and management literature to present a unified theoretical and practical framework for circular construction. The manuscript critically examines recycled concrete and masonry aggregates, alternative thermal insulation from textile wastes, wood–plastic composites with secondary materials, and systemic reuse of building elements. It further explores the role of procurement and project delivery methods in enabling circular outcomes, identifying barriers, drivers and stakeholder interactions. Methodologically, the research integrates a rigorous literature synthesis, comparative conceptual modelling, and a reasoned normative framework that maps technical potential to procurement strategies and organizational processes. Results show that while recycled aggregates and alternative insulation materials can meet many technical performance parameters, their adoption is conditioned by quality assurance mechanisms, regulatory clarity, and procurement incentives. Sustainable procurement models — particularly collaborative and integrated procurement practices — significantly improve reuse outcomes by aligning incentives, fostering trust and enabling whole-life cost assessments. The discussion elaborates on theoretical implications for industrial ecology in construction, critiques existing lifecycle assessment approaches, and offers detailed recommendations for policy, practice and research. Limitations include reliance on secondary literature and heterogeneity in empirical studies; future research should deploy multi-scalar empirical trials combining material testing with procurement pilots. The paper concludes with a comprehensive, actionable roadmap to accelerate circular construction that bridges technical feasibility and organizational adoption through targeted policy, procurement reform, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Keywords

Circular construction, recycled aggregates, reuse potential

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Aarav N. Whitaker. (2025). Advancing Circularity In Construction: Integrating Material Reuse, Recycling, And Sustainable Procurement For The Built Environment. The American Journal of Engineering and Technology, 7(09), 264–267. Retrieved from https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet/article/view/7033