Document Detail

RT-380’s research sought to achieve the following objectives:

• Understand the opportunities and values of implementing CE principles in the capital projects industry.
• Highlight the changes in business models required to maximize the value of shifting to a CE paradigm.
• Develop tools that motivate CII members to consider shifting from a linear to a circular economy.

To achieve these objectives, RT-380 conducted its research in several steps:

• It reviewed existing literature to understand the concept of CE, identify available circular business models, and evaluate these models’ applicability to the construction industry.
• The team studied the adoption of circular business models by 81 construction-related companies.
• It conducted semi-structured interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the circular strategies that apply to the construction industry.
• RT-380’s industry members shared their experiences, interactions, and attempts to implement CE. The team documented these learnings as CII success stories.
• Finally, the team used its collected data and analyzed results to develop a circularity readiness guide and an implementation guide.

This research makes the following main contributions:

• A knowledge framework for assessing potential circular business models
• A collection of CII members’ success stories
• The circularity readiness guide and implementation guide
• A curated list of tools for implementing CE

In spite of diverse challenges in the path to achieving CE, there is momentum in the industry to make this shift.