A groundbreaking project is set to explore the potential of the circular economy to revolutionize the UK’s building sector
Led by the University of Sheffield, the £6 million BuildZero project will investigate how to achieve zero new material extraction, zero emissions, and zero waste in the construction industry.
Buildings and infrastructure are significant contributors to environmental challenges, accounting for over 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions, 60% of its waste, and consuming half of all extracted materials globally.
The power of a circular economy
The circular economy, which prioritizes reusing and recycling materials, offers a promising solution to these issues.
BuildZero will bring together experts from multiple disciplines, including architecture, engineering, materials science, and social sciences, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the building sector.
The project will examine the existing building stock, resource flows, and waste patterns, as well as public attitudes and economic factors influencing the adoption of circular economy principles.
A circular construction industry
By combining research with practical implementation, the project aims to create a roadmap for a circular construction industry. This includes developing innovative building methods, designing circular business models, and demonstrating the feasibility of these approaches at a regional and national level.
Dr Danielle Densley Tingley, project lead from the University of Sheffield, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “This project offers a unique opportunity to assess the viability of a circular economy for the UK’s building stock while meeting societal needs. By working closely with industry partners, we hope to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable built environment.”
Dr Rick Lupton from the University of Bath added, “We will be mapping resource availability and conducting life cycle assessments to identify the most impactful circular economy strategies. Our goal is to provide a clear picture of how different approaches can work together to create a more sustainable building sector.”
The BuildZero Project
The BuildZero project is a collaborative effort involving researchers from the University of Sheffield, Bath, Manchester, Cardiff, and Cambridge, as well as policy experts and industry partners. The project is expected to deliver a range of practical tools, strategies, and demonstration projects to support the industry’s transition to a circular economy.
