Resources & Publications

The construction sector consumes 42 billion tonnes of resources annually, making it the most material-intensive sector. The construction sector also produces about one-third of all global waste, most of which is not recycled or reused, but ends up in landfills. This is a known problem faced by actors across the industry value chain. Changing one of the largest industries in the world is no easy feat, but change is already happening. 

Circle Economy has teamed up with ROCKWOOL one of the frontrunners, committed to change the sector. ROCKWOOL recognises the potential of the circular economy and has decided to join Circle Economy's member community. They aim to address the global environmental and social challenges caused by the industry while simultaneously creating new commercial opportunities. The concept of a circular economy is not new to ROCKWOOL. For instance, the group upcycles secondary materials from industries such as the utilities and metallurgical sector. ROCKWOOL also recycles its own waste in closed loops and designs products for extended life spans and nearly indefinite recycling thereby leveraging the natural recyclability and durability of stone wool. 

"Our membership with Circle Economy can help us better understand the opportunities we have in our value chain and help us connect with other stakeholders so the impact can be wider,”

Dorte Vigsø, Sustainability Manager, ROCKWOOL Group.

To further improve ROCKWOOL's operations, Circle Economy assessed the company's value chain and identified opportunities to increase impact. Applying a system mapping methodology to measure and assess circularity across ROCKWOOL’s value chain, from resource extraction to end of life, Circle Economy identified a range of opportunities to build on existing activities. It also showed that ROCKWOOL has the potential to become fully circular in the future. 

"We need better incentives to improve the management of demolition and construction waste. Investigating ROCKWOOL's value chain helped us understand the structural issues holding back the industry. Far-reaching collaboration across the value chain and with legislators is needed to move forward."

Marc de Wit,  Director Strategic Alliances, Circle Economy

Looking at the industry as a whole, a lot still needs to happen. The collaboration with ROCKWOOL uncovered three key levers to improve circularity: (1) Increase the sourcing of non-virgin and regenerative materials for both raw materials and energy supply; (2) Develop more high-value and circular product applications that can be integrated into modular, adaptive building components; (3) Reclaim more waste from the construction sector through ROCKWOOL’s internal recycling and partnerships with other players. 

The biggest steps towards circularity can only be taken with the support of and collaboration with legislators and value chain partners. Circle Economy found multiple opportunities for ROCKWOOL to improve the circularity within its own operations. However, structural barriers in legislation and other parts of the value chain impede the development of the necessary recycling infrastructure for construction and demolition waste to become fully circular. ROCKWOOL and Circle Economy call on both legislators and value chain partners to join forces in developing pragmatic solutions to overcome the identified barriers. Doing so will drastically improve economic incentives for a circular utilization of construction and demolition waste thereby unlocking the full potential of the circular economy model. To start the dialogue, ROCKWOOL is open to discuss the opportunities identified in the report via sustainability@rockwool.com and through their Circle Economy membership.

The construction sector consumes 42 billion tonnes of resources annually, making it the most material-intensive sector. The construction sector also produces about one-third of all global waste, most of which is not recycled or reused, but ends up in landfills. This is a known problem faced by actors across the industry value chain. The collaboration with ROCKWOOL uncovered three key levers to improve circularity: (1) Increase the sourcing of non-virgin and regenerative materials for both raw materials and energy supply; (2) Develop more high-value and circular product applications that can be integrated into modular, adaptive building components; (3) Reclaim more waste from the construction sector through ROCKWOOL’s internal recycling and partnerships with other players.

The report Circular Jobs in Belgium provides insight into the nature and amount of jobs in the country’s circular economy. The research, supported by the Belgian King Baudouin Foundation, presents a baseline measurement on employment in the Belgian circular economy.

Bern has kickstarted its transition towards a circular economy, together with Circle Economy and ecos. As part of the Circular Cities Switzerland project, city officials and local urban changemakers have undertaken a Circle City Scan; a collaborative innovation process to identify practical strategies that are best positioned to support the circular economy. 

The projects have worked towards systematically preparing the ground for Bern to implement compelling and viable circular economy projects, such as a circular shopping centre to promoting circular lifestyles, adopting circular (as-a-service) business models for furniture in municipal office, as well as developing a digital marketplace for secondary construction materials to boost local value creation through material cycling.

The documents below present the methodology, results and conclusions of each phase of the Circle City Scan process.

Almaty is the world's first Central Asian City to identify circular economy opportunities. A resource metabolism scan uncovers how Almaty can use circular economy strategies to shape its future as an international trading hub at the intersection of Europe and Asia. 

Almaty in Kazakhstan is the first city in Central Asia to identify circular economy opportunities. The city commissioned an international consortium -- Shifting Paradigms, Circle Economy, Centre for Sustainable Production and Consumption (CSPC), FABRICations and Emerging Markets Sustainability Dialogues (EMSD) -- to map resource consumption. The analysis produced new cross-sectoral circular economy strategies to achieve the city’s sustainable development ambitions.  

This resource metabolism scan comes as Almaty achieves impressive economic growth,  re-establishing its position as an exporter of agricultural commodities. An important station on the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s development plan to improve trans-continental cooperation, Almaty sees connectivity with Asia, Europe and other regions as key to growing international trade. At the same time, the government is opening new channels for public participation in urban planning decisions, to meet the needs of its citizens.

"This project helps strengthen international cooperation and share positive experiences, as well as fostering a dialogue between all stakeholders to achieve the principles of sustainable development". 

B.K. Baibek, Mayor of Almaty City

The consortium worked intensely with local governments and industry players, to ensure the metabolism scan highlights circular strategies which take full account of cultural, socio-economic and geographic factors.  

Agriculture: Composting and Closed Cycle Farming 

In agriculture, the most promising circular economy opportunities lie in diverting organic residues away from landfill and processing them into soil enhancers or organic fertilisers.  Regional ambitions for agricultural output will require investment in soil quality. Applying processed organic residues on land can reduce the application of synthetic fertilisers, while also improving water retention, soil life and resilience to erosion.

Local Industries: Waste as a resource and Remanufacturing

Local industries already collect and recycle a significant share of mineral and metal residues. Improved connectivity to foreign markets through the Belt and Road Initiative can support the extension of manufacturing capacity with remanufacturing, whereby used products or components are refurbished as new; for example, car parts, furniture and construction elements. New service models can support this approach by incentivising companies to produce products that last, allowing suppliers to retain ownership and run take-back schemes to cycle products to second or even third users in different market segments.

“During the project it was encouraging to see the amount of traction on the ground, from grassroots initiatives to large government programmes. Since 40% of the carbon footprint of the city can be addressed with circular economy strategies, it is important to scale these initiatives.“

Jelmer Hoogzaad, Shifting Paradigms

Construction: Preserve what is already there and Substitute carbon-intensive materials

Circular strategies in the construction sector are based on passive design and adjusting the design to replacing new, carbon-intensive construction materials with materials of secondary or renewable origin. This starts with design. Merely considering energy and resource use in the design phase of a building can bring down energy use with more than half. Design can also open opportunities for the use of secondary and renewable construction materials, potentially turning the construction sector into a net sink of CO2.

"It is encouraging to see the circular economy gaining momentum outside of Europe and recognised as a tangible tool for transition. It provides a change agenda to transform from an economy of depletion to an economy of opportunities that works for all people."  

Harald Friedl, CEO Circle Economy

A tangible circular future for Almaty

By showcasing also what is already happening in the city, the circular prospect becomes more comprehensible. Artist impressions in the report aim to make the circular future tangible, connect it with socio-economic challenges and show how circular initiatives can make Almaty an even more pleasant place to live.

This report explores the connection between municipalities pursuing circular economy policy and investments in circular business that create jobs. In order to maximise the benefits for society of the circular economy, municipalities can employ a series of regulatory, economic and soft instruments. Municipal circular policies, especially strategy, targets, loans and subsidies, are conducive to generating employment.

Almaty in Kazakhstan is the first city in Central Asia to identify circular economy opportunities. The city commissioned an international consortium — Shifting Paradigms, Circle Economy, Centre for Sustainable Production and Consumption (CSPC), FABRICations and Emerging Markets Sustainability Dialogues (EMSD) — to map resource consumption. The analysis produced new cross-sectoral circular economy strategies to achieve the city’s sustainable development ambitions. This resource metabolism scan comes as Almaty achieves impressive economic growth, re-establishing its position as an exporter of agricultural commodities. An important station on the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s development plan to improve trans-continental cooperation, Almaty sees connectivity with Asia, Europe and other regions as key to growing international trade. At the same time, the government is opening new channels for public participation in urban planning decisions, to meet the needs of its citizens.

Circle Economy has announced an updated participation offer for brands and retailers who wish to join the Cotton Recycling Pilot, a 12-14 month project designed to address barriers to the use of post-consumer recycled cotton and increase supply chain experience with circular textiles. Circle Economy and Recover will bring together supply and demand to establish a mutual understanding of the capabilities and limitations of post-consumer recycled cotton. This update expects to enable brands and retailers to meet their post-consumer recycling commitments and bring circular textiles one step closer. 

Two new knowledge partners are joining the project. WRAP, the UK Waste and Resources Action Programme, works extensively towards catalysing change across sectors with a strong focus on resource efficiency and addressing the economic viability of solutions for the circular economy. As leader of the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan, WRAP expects to be a key partner in this project. KPMG Advisory S.p.a., the Italian branch of the global advisory group, will contribute their experience and expertise in delivering professional business services to support the growth of companies and markets, focused on innovation as a key pillar of the work they support. 

Through this partnership, WRAP and KPMG Advisory S.p.a. (Italy) will join Textile Exchange and Reblend to support the work of the Cotton Recycling Pilot and share data and insights from past projects and ongoing work. The project is additionally supported by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. By combining knowledge and working together, industry uptake of recycled post-consumer textiles can be accelerated without reinventing the wheel.  

Applications for brands and retailers to join the project will close on 30 September, so contact us now to work together and make a lasting impact in our industry!

Learn more about the project and get in touch here: 

Cotton Recycling Pilot