How effective is the construction sector in promoting the circular economy in Brazil and France? : A waste input-output analysis

Abstract

Resource effectiveness and the circular economy are crucial for the future of the construction sector. A number of initiatives in Brazil and France are examining how resource efficiency and circularity can be introduced in various construction stages. But there is no unifying arena where both countries can meet. The lack of financial resources and a proper management system for construction and demolition waste are the main challenges which developing countries need to stand. This could encourage the development of innovations mainly in specific areas such as concrete recycling, and also stimulate the society to become aware of the value of material waste in the production supply chain. This proposal follows a waste input-output model to compare recycling and non-recycling scenarios in two stages of the construction process; this approach provides a positive alternative for the analysis of environmental scenarios in the traditional construction process. This research proved that at the construction site, there is a decrease in the amount of waste, concrete, metal, and plastic. However, during demolition, the concrete is not decreasing in the recycling scenario, even with a considerable amount of plastic and metal, probably due to the lack of proper waste separation in the site.