Embracing Circular Economy: Building a Sustainable Future

According to the London Plan the goal of a circular economy is to maximise the value and utility of materials throughout their lifecycle. This involves keeping materials in use at their highest possible value for as long as practically feasible. Once their primary use is exhausted, materials should be reused or recycled, thereby minimising any residual waste. The ultimate aim is to maintain the value of materials and resources indefinitely and therefore achieving zero residual waste.

This goal requires transforming our approach to building design, construction, operation and (perhaps most importantly) strip out and deconstruction. Key steps include:

Design Phase: Selecting durable, recyclable materials with minimal environmental impact.
Construction Phase: Employing precision and efficiency to minimise waste (using pre-fabricated plant assemblies, for example).
Operational Phase: Incorporating systems for easy material recovery and reuse, like modular components and accessible recycling facilities.
Deconstruction Phase: Dismantling structures to preserve materials for future reuse or recycling.

Adopting these practices ensures that every stage of a building’s lifecycle contributes to a sustainable circular economy. By rethinking traditional building practices and embracing innovative solutions, we can significantly reduce waste, conserve resources and move closer to a zero-waste future.

At Watkins Payne, we specialise in creating detailed circular economy statements and collaborating with project teams to develop effective circularity strategies. Our approach sees the integration of sustainable measures relating to the design, construction and operational phases of each project.

The Greater London Authority’s (GLA) London Environmental Strategy outlines a vision for improving London’s environment. In March 2022, the GLA issued supplementary guidance for Circular Economy Statements, emphasising the transition to a low-carbon circular economy. This involves maximising resource value through use and reuse before they become waste, and investing in low-carbon infrastructure and services.

Implementing circular economy principles in the built environment involves addressing numerous interconnected issues and trade-offs. With extensive experience, Watkins Payne can guide project teams through these complexities, providing tailored advice and solutions to meet each project’s unique requirements.

To effectively implement circular economy principles, strategic opportunities must be identified early in the development process. Appropriate strategies should be formulated during the concept design phase and included in the development brief. Understanding circular economy principles involves considering ‘building layers,’ each with its own lifecycle needing distinct approaches or solutions.

Our circular economy methodologies focus on:

Material selection: choosing durable, recyclable materials. Design for disassembly: creating components that can be easily dismantled and reused.
Resource efficiency: implementing practices that minimise waste.
Operational systems: facilitating material recovery and reuse.
Deconstruction practices: planning for effective material repurposing or recycling.

Embedding these strategies early ensures projects align with circular economy principles, reducing waste and conserving resources. Our expertise translates these concepts into actionable practices, benefiting the entire building lifecycle.

For more detailed information and support for your specific project needs, please contact our sustainability team. Let us help implement circular economy principles and achieve your sustainability goals.