As far as building design materials are concerned, reused materials provide a viable business approach for reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Our research shows that such a Curtin University building can reduce construction waste and reduce emissions to almost one-tenth of the traditional construction process.

Modular circular economy buildings have generated benefits in all six environmental indicators we evaluated. This is part of our vision to decarbonize buildings.

The natural biogeochemical cycle produces almost no waste. These cycles eventually convert used materials into new resources. For example, through nutrient cycling, fallen leaves can provide a basis for future leaves. Simple and beautiful. Contrary to the linear model of “take, manufacture, and dispose”. This is complicated and ugly.

Unfortunately, this is the model adopted by industrialized societies. Not only for our coffee pods (most of which end up in landfill), but also for most commercial and residential buildings. The construction industry consumes about 50% of mineral resources and generates about 35% of waste. It is the main source of global greenhouse gas emissions. What can be done?

Recycle

The answer lies in re-examining the basis of our recycling practice. Since the late 1990s, recycling has been considered an environmental solution, and recycling bins are everywhere. However, both researchers and consumers have begun to realize that recycling can often be attributed to pure “wish recycling.” In fact, less than 10% of plastic is recycled.

Reprocessing is considered to be the best way to keep materials in use, especially for artifacts such as coffee cups or microchips. However, for many other products, such as building materials, recycling often translates into useful downward recycling. Even materials that seem harmless to the environment (such as wood) are often not recyclable. Instead, it is remanufactured into products of lower economic value and quality. The downward spiral of the material will only delay its landfill treatment.

Obviously, if we can find a way to reuse products, it will be better for the environment. In fact, “almost everything has reusable alternatives: beeswax or silicone food wrappers, reusable coffee bags, shampoo and conditioner bars, reusable safety razors and soap bars Instead of liquid soap”.

Apply the principle of reuse to buildings

Can buildings be reused in this way? After all, compared to coffee pods or plastic wrap, buildings are a complex and complex product. Researchers from the Curtin University Sustainable Development Policy (CUSP) Institute tested this problem by building a reusable modular laboratory. Here, researchers, builders and citizens can all meet to make prototypes and research new products.

The old-style living laboratory (L3) is a powerful and advanced building with offices and collaboration spaces. However, it can be taken apart (disassembled or disassembled) and moved to any place within a few weeks before use.

The conclusion drawn after studying the impact of the facility on the environment shows that the question of whether it can be reused in buildings is affirmed. Compared with common construction industry practices, L3’s built-in reuse approach can save 18 tons of building materials. This resulted in an 88% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. So how is this done? Just choose a reusable steel frame, choose a steel foundation instead of concrete, and design an easy-to-disassemble interior wall cladding. In this way, the difficulty of dismantling the building is as easy as an ordinary Lego ship.

When the building is out of service, it can be broken down into eight modules. These can be moved to the next site for reuse instead of being dismantled. The modular building consists of a box-shaped structure, which is constructed off-site and delivered within a few hours. Compared with traditional construction sites, this brings minimal disturbance to our city. Modular buildings come in various shapes and sizes, from micro houses to skyscrapers and factories. They are generally more cost-effective than traditional double-brick structures.

Therefore, as well as the smallest environmental footprint, the advantages of modular buildings include flexibility, speed and cost.

Open up new building materials market

By adopting modular buildings that are easy to disassemble, we can create a whole new market for reusable building materials. The detachable design and closed-loop supply chain can keep building components in the material loop without the need for laborious and wasteful recycling procedures. Similar to how nature works, the CUSP team created a building where the by-products produced in one process of the building remain in the loop as input to the next process, thereby minimizing waste. In this way, demolition becomes safer and cleaner, which is beneficial to our city and its residents.

All this does not mean that recycling construction waste is useless. It all depends on the project. Wood can at least be cut into garden coverings, bricks and concrete can be crushed into roadbeds, etc. But this method is not as neat as the natural way of disposing of waste. Disassembly and modular design are closer to this. It can lead the market to markets that normally keep materials in the supply chain.

If our goal is to create products and processes that “sustainably solve our biggest design challenges and are closely linked to all life on earth,” then we should turn to nature. We believe that this will be a wiser guide than any other company in redefining the linear business model of waste.