GBCA and Partners Launch Circular Construction Practical Guide

• The GBCA encourages stakeholders to uphold circular procurement practices and work towards Australia's transition to a more sustainable built environment.
• Include successful examples and case studies of circular practices in the built environment, including that of Kennett Builders.

Australia's authority on sustainable buildings and communities, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), has launched a practical guide for the property and construction industry in collaboration with numerous partners.

The guide will help the industry adopt circular procurement practices into projects, focusing on reusing materials, reducing waste, and lowering carbon emissions. Consequently, all stakeholders concerned can make more sustainable choices and source building materials responsibly.

It has been developed in collaboration with government and industry partners to provide guidance, with examples and case studies, for developers, architects, procurement managers, and other industry professionals to adopt circular strategies in their work.

READ MORE: Recycled Cement Cuts Emissions Without Strength Loss, Says Study

The objective is to reduce the environmental impact of construction by redefining procurement practices, including how materials are selected and used. "The construction industry accounts for a large share of global resource consumption. However, only about 30% of materials are recycled," said GBCA Chief Executive Davina Rooney. A practical guide to sustainable procurement strategies will reinforce Australia's net-zero goals.

It includes practical approaches across different stages of a building's lifecycle, pursuant to renowned standards, including the Green Star Buildings certification.

The focus areas include integrating circularity in design, improving contract wording to prioritise sustainable procurement, and presenting case studies demonstrating circular procurement in action.

ALSO READ: The Future is Here: Environmental Benefits of Green Buildings

CEFC Head of Property, Michael Di Russo, commented: "Materials used in construction are a major source of embodied carbon and resource consumption. By rethinking the selection and sourcing of construction materials, we can significantly cut waste, lower emissions, and enhance building resilience."

To download the guide, click here.

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Source: GBCA