Improving plastic circularity in the construction sector
The construction sector is a major consumer of materials, contributing significantly to climate change and generating vast amounts of waste. Despite plastics’ widespread presence in buildings—such as insulation, floor covering, and packaging for all kinds of construction products, they are often overlooked in these environmental discussions because they are lightweight and less visible.
In fact, the construction industry is the world’s second-largest consumer of plastics. Most plastics are derived from fossil fuels, and their production, along with the incineration of plastic waste, releases substantial carbon dioxide emissions, exacerbating climate change. Improving plastic circularity in construction is therefore crucial. While the sector has made progress in using secondary plastics, its recycling rate remains at just 25%, lagging behind other plastic application sectors like packaging and agriculture. This low recycling rate is primarily due to a lack of incentives across the value chain.
This project aims to improve plastic waste management at the construction sites to improve the plastic circularity, bringing the climate incentives into focus.
Shuang Wang
PhD Student
My research interests include sustainable architecture, indoor environment assessment and the application of LCC and LCA in the renovation of existing buildings.
Leonardo Rosado
Associate Professor
Studying cities from an Urban metabolism perspective. Its flows and stocks, its functions and needs. To provide information towards urban planning and circular economy.
Maud Lanau
Assistant Professor
My research interests include socioeconomic metabolism and understanding the potential of built environment stocks for circular economy.
Holger Wallbaum
Full Professor, Vice-Head of Department and Vice-Dean for Research
Holger is a Full Professor in sustainable building at the Division of Building Technology, research group Sustainable Building, and in the Area of advance Building Futures. Holger works within sustainable building on concepts, tools and strategies to enhance the sustainability performance of construction materials, building products, buildings as well as entire cities.