Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Reuse of building materials : The perspective of Swedish clients

Ericsson, Filip LU ; Mjörnell, Kristina LU and Janson, Ulla LU (2024) In Cleaner Engineering and Technology 23. p.100848-100848
Abstract
In the context of the circular economy, there is an urgent need for transformation into circular material flows by avoiding waste, reducing extraction of virgin raw materials, and extending product life cycles. Within the construction and real estate industry, the reuse of building materials stands out as a critical strategy for value retention. The objective of this paper is to localise the forefront of the practical implementation of reused materials within the Swedish construction and real estate industry. To achieve this, the current state of reuse practices through the perspective of property companies as clients in decision-making positions was conducted through semi-structured interviews to identify key barriers and enablers... (More)
In the context of the circular economy, there is an urgent need for transformation into circular material flows by avoiding waste, reducing extraction of virgin raw materials, and extending product life cycles. Within the construction and real estate industry, the reuse of building materials stands out as a critical strategy for value retention. The objective of this paper is to localise the forefront of the practical implementation of reused materials within the Swedish construction and real estate industry. To achieve this, the current state of reuse practices through the perspective of property companies as clients in decision-making positions was conducted through semi-structured interviews to identify key barriers and enablers associated with reuse. The three most significant barriers that emerged were a lack of measurable economic incentives, the absence of a professional reuse market, and obsolete project management. Conversely, the three most significant enablers were new and improved project management methods, enhancing competence and learning within and beyond organisations, and introduce reuse at an early stage. The results emphasise the need for project management to develop and adopt circular economy principles. This is further understood due to responders highlighting the industry's linear approach as a major obstacle to circularity together with uncertainties related to product performance, responsibilities and economics characterising reuse efforts. However, an industry in transition is witnessed, e.g. by the emergence of new roles which suggests a continued need for focused research in organisational matters. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Cleaner Engineering and Technology
volume
23
pages
100848 - 100848
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85210709724
ISSN
2666-7908
DOI
10.1016/j.clet.2024.100848
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
192e1a51-c3f0-4e17-b4b5-99a01b0788fb
date added to LUP
2024-12-04 10:23:07
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:35:14
@article{192e1a51-c3f0-4e17-b4b5-99a01b0788fb,
  abstract     = {{In the context of the circular economy, there is an urgent need for transformation into circular material flows by avoiding waste, reducing extraction of virgin raw materials, and extending product life cycles. Within the construction and real estate industry, the reuse of building materials stands out as a critical strategy for value retention. The objective of this paper is to localise the forefront of the practical implementation of reused materials within the Swedish construction and real estate industry. To achieve this, the current state of reuse practices through the perspective of property companies as clients in decision-making positions was conducted through semi-structured interviews to identify key barriers and enablers associated with reuse. The three most significant barriers that emerged were a lack of measurable economic incentives, the absence of a professional reuse market, and obsolete project management. Conversely, the three most significant enablers were new and improved project management methods, enhancing competence and learning within and beyond organisations, and introduce reuse at an early stage. The results emphasise the need for project management to develop and adopt circular economy principles. This is further understood due to responders highlighting the industry's linear approach as a major obstacle to circularity together with uncertainties related to product performance, responsibilities and economics characterising reuse efforts. However, an industry in transition is witnessed, e.g. by the emergence of new roles which suggests a continued need for focused research in organisational matters.}},
  author       = {{Ericsson, Filip and Mjörnell, Kristina and Janson, Ulla}},
  issn         = {{2666-7908}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{12}},
  pages        = {{100848--100848}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Cleaner Engineering and Technology}},
  title        = {{Reuse of building materials : The perspective of Swedish clients}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2024.100848}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.clet.2024.100848}},
  volume       = {{23}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}