How A Circular Economy Will Impact The Construction Industry
As the UK construction industry navigates increasing environmental challenges, along with a change of government, the concept of a circular economy is emerging an imperative solution. The innovative approach will reflect how we design, construct and manage building waste to optimise as a resource. In this article, we will reveal everything you need to know about the circular economy and its role in construction, how it will impact the industry and how adopting the rental approach can assist in helping you meet your targets.
What Is A Circular Economy?
A circular economy is a systemic approach to economic development based around:
Reducing Waste: Reusing, recycling and re-purposing materials to minimise waste and reduce environmental impact.
Resource Efficiency: Harness the use of recyclable and renewable materials and reduce finite resources such as coal, gas and oil.
Longevity: Develop products and materials that last longer, and which can be better recycled in the future.
Not only does this model address the common waste management challenges we face in our industry, but it also aligns with the UK’s sustainability goals.
How A Circular Economy Impacts Construction?
The impact of a circular economy in construction will transform our industry in many ways:
Waste & Recycling
The UK construction sector counts for an estimated 138 million tonnes of waste per annum. Accounting towards more than two-thirds of the country’s total landfill waste. Adopting a circular economy will help encourage practices such as:
Reusing materials: Reclaimed bricks and timber that can be used for new construction projects, reducing the demand for new raw materials.
Recycling: Materials such as steel, concrete and asphalt can all be recycled to create valuable building resources.
Such practices will inevitably decrease landfill use and conserve many natural resources that are used in modern construction.
Sustainable Building
It’s no longer news that the construction industry amounts to being one of the largest sources of carbon emissions. However, with the continuous demand for new housing, traditional practices will forever fail to significantly address the issue. Adopting a circular economy will help promote:
Energy efficient materials: Employ the use of lower embodied energy materials such as Mud bricks, rammed earth, precast concrete and reclaimed timbers.
Off-Site Construction: Design buildings that can be easily erected, disassembled and reused. This overall reduces the amount of carbon emissions during the construction phase.
Embracing these challenges will contribute directly towards reducing the UK’s net zero targets by 2050.
Government Support
The UK government is actively supporting the transition towards a circular economy with a range of initiatives. The Construction Strategy 2025 has set out a vision and plan for strategic action by the government and industry to work together to promote the success of the UK construction sector.
Overall, the plan aims to:
- Reduce waste and energy consumption across the entire industry
- Encourage the innovation of more sustainable practices.
The framework of this policy has set out ambitious targets, along with a favourable environment for UK construction companies to achieve.
Digital Innovation
Digital innovation has had a huge impact on the construction industry, revolutionizing how materials and projects are managed. These leaps have enabled superior evaluation of lifecycle assessments, from production to disposal, along with resource management. Allowing construction companies to make better use of their material and equipment usage, as well as waste management.
The introduction of innovative software has overall further supported the shift towards a more circular economy.
Industry Collaboration
The seismic shift toward a circular economy rides on the successful implementation of industry collaboration. For change is not possible without an industry-wide effort. This includes several essential stakeholders working together to source more sustainable materials whilst implementing waste reduction strategies. In doing so, unitedly, all businesses within the construction sector can contribute towards a more circular economy.
How The Hire Industry Can Support Business
The hire industry plays a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a circular economy within our sector. Here is how:
Access To Machinery
Rental for construction equipment opens up the ability for businesses to avoid the cost and resources associated with purchasing machinery. This approach allows firms to utilise what only they need for specific tasks or projects. Resulting in minimising overall resource consumption.
Encouraging More Sustainable Practises
Hire companies can actively promote more sustainable practices through their equipment. Energy-efficient equipment can help businesses align with their net-zero targets and work towards a circular economy.
Guidance
Hire companies can often offer industry insight into more sustainable practices, whilst helping businesses implement new strategies within their projects.
Achieving A Circular Economy With WHC Hire Services
At WHC Hire, we have recognised the importance of the part that we play in the impact of achieving a circular economy in the construction industry. Our commitment to care and sustainability is highlighted in our detailed selection of advanced plant and tool hire equipment. Our extensive range of machinery is designed to support businesses to minimise waste and optimise resources.
By partnering with WHC Hire Services, businesses can not only reduce their overall carbon footprint but also directly contribute towards a more sustainable future. While there is still some way to go on the journey towards a more circular economy, WHC has vowed to lead the way in supporting the modern-day construction industry.
Getting Started With The Transition
The overall transition to a more circular economy represents a significant move towards a more sustainable future. By embracing waste reduction, sustainable practices, collaboration and innovation, we can create a more efficient future.
As a key leader in the hire industry, WHC Hire Services has committed to implementing this transformation with the investment of new technology. With regular updates to our ever-evolving fleet, we can provide our clients with the most efficient and productive equipment available on the market. With recent investments into Stage V, electric and hybrid technologies, we are committed to help key stakeholders in our industry move towards a more sustainable future.
Interested in how WHC Hire can help? Contact us today for expert guidance and tailored equipment options to align with your business goals.