Assessment of Implementation of Circular Economy Framework in the Sri Lankan Construction Sector

Abstract

Concerns have been raised that the construction sector in both developed and developing countries has become a major environmental issue. This is mostly due to the excessive use of raw materials and energy sources. Moreover, the industry now follows the “take-make-dispose” linear economic paradigm. The circular economy idea was just brought to the sector based on the fundamental principles “reduce, reuse, recycle”, and yet the construction industry in Sri Lanka has failed to comply with this emerging framework. It is presently being debated throughout the world whether the 3R concept is adequate to achieve optimal industry sustainability. As a result, the 3R principles have lately expanded into a 10R framework. Consequently, the purpose of this article is to determine the possibilities and barriers to implement the 10R framework in the construction sector in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted using a qualitative research method. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather data and gain expert opinions on various options. This research takes a qualitative, in-depth look at how the 10R principles of circular economy might be applied to construction projects. Construction professionals may boost the ecological sustainability of building projects by using the recommended circular economy guidelines.

Keywords

• barriers
• circular economy
• construction
• sri lanka
• sustainability
• 10r principles