Scotland chosen to create 'circular construction hub'
Scotland is set to pioneer a new initiative that aims to increase uptake and accessibility of reused construction materials and showcase the sector as an investment opportunity.
It is one of four in Europe selected to model a Circular Construction Hub – a second-hand marketplace for materials used in building and infrastructure projects.
Led by Zero Waste Scotland and launching at the start of EU Green Week, the project will see an investment-ready Circular Construction Hub model prepared by December 2027.
According to a statement, taking a circular approach to construction can create new opportunities for business, support domestic job creation in repair, reuse and remanufacturing, and improve economic resilience against economic shocks.
Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Developing a workable model for a Circular Construction Hub is an important opportunity for Scotland to lead by example and build on the success of our existing network of smaller community and commercial hubs across the country.
“It has enormous potential to help us forefront reuse as a convenient and aspirational option for businesses and simultaneously generate promising opportunities for sustainable investment in Scotland.”
Creating a circular built environment is one of seven opportunities identified in Scotland’s first-ever analysis of the circular economy in Scotland; the Circularity Gap Report.
Delivered by Zero Waste Scotland in collaboration with Circle Economy, the report stated that by developing resource-efficient planning and construction Scotland could cut its material consumption by 11.2% and its carbon footprint by 11.5%.
What’s more, the reuse of construction materials and assets are a priority action identified by the Scottish Government in the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030. This set out a plan to deliver actions that the government and others must take to accelerate progress towards a circular economy between now and 2030.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “We have already seen businesses creating jobs by turning what we might otherwise throw away into valuable new products and services.
“This Circular Construction Hub pilot helps to progress actions from our 2030 Route Map – by helping to tackle construction waste, which accounts for up to 50% of all waste in Scotland.
“It will also secure supplies of critical construction materials and help construction businesses save money by keeping construction materials in use for longer.”
The EU-funded project will run until the end of 2027, with Zero Waste Scotland undertaking feasibility studies and sector engagement before developing a workable model.
You can read the original article on The Insider here.