Resource Use

In the UK, construction, demolition and excavation account for 60% of material use and waste generation. Meanwhile, prices of construction materials in the UK rose by 4.9% between 2017 and 2018. Adopting circular economy principles offers a €1.8 trillion opportunity to the EU between 2015 and 2030.   

A circular economy is an important part of the puzzle to solve the climate and nature crises. The built environment can play a major role in creating a thriving circular economy.  In the UK, construction, demolition and excavation account for 60% of material use and waste generation. Meanwhile, prices of construction materials in the UK rose by 4.9% between 2017 and 2018. Adopting circular economy principles offers a €1.8 trillion opportunity to the EU between 2015 and 2030.   

Resource use and the built environment

We have historically operated a linear economy. We take from the world around us huge quantities of resources, we use them, we make things with them, and we waste them. Over-extraction and under-utilisation of resources leads to excessive amounts of carbon emissions, the destruction of large swathes of the natural world, and unnecessary, avoidable waste. 

To stand a chance of solving the interlinked climate and nature crises, we need to move to a new way of thinking, working, and delivery; a circular economy must be part of the equation. 

Minimising the use of virgin resources, maximising the re-use of materials, refurbishing buildings rather than knocking down and re-building them, and retaining as much of a refurbished building…all play their part in protecting the world’s finite supplies.  

The circular economy offers an opportunity for a wide variety of built environment stakeholders to both access low carbon materials in their local environment – supporting local economies and supply chains – and reconsider what building in the future may look like.  

There have been notable efforts from industry pioneers in recent years. However, to drive the impact required, we need a change in the system, one which decouples economic growth from infinite resource extraction. 

Learn more about the Circular Economy

What does UKGBC do on resource use?

At UKGBC we address resource use in both our Climate Change Mitigation and Nature and Resilience programmes. Bringing a multitude of stakeholders together to collaborate on these huge transitional challenges and building reliable networks of pioneering industry professionals driving towards a circular economy is hugely important. 

Leaders in the built environment have embraced reusing buildings and their components, minimising new build activity wherever possible, and retaining as much of existing buildings as possible when refurbishing.  

At UKGBC we want to push this boundary so that system change is centre stage of the industry’s efforts. The shift from a linear economy to a circular economy is a considerable transition, one that requires concerted efforts from all parts of society and collaboration from across the industry. 

This involves mainstreaming the issue, ensuring that the whole industry is on board with this intent to change. Similarly, we promote understanding across the sector as to why this topic is so crucial to its own fortunes and those of society overall. We also share guidance and solutions so that organisations can start to take practical steps and make a regenerative economy a reality.  

Key Areas of work

All Resource Use Resources

Circular Economy Principles

For a sustainable future, a regenerative, circular economy that rewards the reuse of finite materials and resources must take its place.
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System Enablers for a Circular Economy

A toolkit that examines the barriers to a circular economy, and present eight key enablers to overcome them.
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Circular Economy & Nature

We’re examining how a circular economy can reduce our industry’s impact on nature outside of the footprint of a development.
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Events

Future event

UKGBC at Futurebuild 2025

UKGBC is partnering with Futurebuild 2025, for a 3 day event on sustainability, collaboration and impact.
Ongoing Event
Event
In person

Advancing Net Zero Partners

Our Resource Use work is made possible due to the generous support of our Advancing Net Zero Programme Partners

Resilience & Nature Partners

Our Resource Use work is supported by our Resilience & Nature Partners

Blogs

All Resource Use Resources

Circular Economy

The built environment needs to move away from the linear economy and embrace circularity. This will reduce waste, carbon emissions and our impact on the natural world.
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