From Linear to Circular

The linear economy (take-make-waste) is fundamentally unsustainable: 50% of all materials become waste within one year. Construction alone generates 35% of global waste. A circular economy eliminates waste by design—materials flow in closed loops, products are made to last, and everything is designed for disassembly and reuse. For buildings, this means: design for adaptability (long lifespan), design for disassembly (modular connections), material passports (tracking composition), and take-back systems (manufacturers reclaim). The result: 80-90% waste reduction, 40-60% carbon savings, and new business models (leasing, refurbishment, remanufacturing).

❌ Linear Economy

•Extract: Virgin materials from mines, forests, quarries
•Make: Energy-intensive production, single use in mind
•Use: Limited lifespan, difficult to repair or adapt
•Dispose: Demolition, downcycling, landfill (90% waste)

♻️ Circular Economy

•Source Sustainably: Recycled, bio-based, regenerative
•Design for Cycles: Modular, repairable, disassemblable
•Extend Use: Long life, adaptable, maintained, shared
•Recover Value: Reuse, refurbish, recycle (5% waste)

Interactive Material Flow Comparison

Toggle between linear and circular scenarios to see the dramatic difference in waste and carbon

Select Material

Linear: Take → Make → Waste

130% material loss

Extraction

Quarry mining, energy use

-5%

Production

Cement kilns, high emissions

-15%

Construction

Waste from cutting/breaking

-10%

Use Phase

Maintenance, minor repairs

-5%

Demolition

Downcycled to fill or landfill

-95%

Carbon Intensity

+900

kg CO₂e/tonne

Circular Building Strategies

🔩 Design for Disassembly (DfD)

Reversible mechanical connections (bolts, not glue), modular components, accessible joints, standardized sizes

Example: Fairphone (phones), Arup Circular Building, Park 20|20 (Netherlands)

📄 Material Passports

Digital records of material composition, location, quantity, value—enables future recovery

Example: Madaster platform, EU Battery Passport regulation, BIM integration

🏭 Urban Mining

Harvest materials from existing buildings—global building stock holds 2× virgin reserves of many metals

Example: Superuse Studios, Rotor Deconstruction, Opalis (marketplace)

🔄 Product-as-Service

Lease instead of sell—manufacturer maintains, upgrades, reclaims at end for maximum value recovery

Example: Philips "Lighting as a Service", Interface carpet leasing, Signify pay-per-lux

Circular Economy for Materials

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