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Title Standardisation: An essential enabler for the circular reuse of construction components? A trajectory for a cleaner European construction industry
ID_Doc 17088
Authors Anastasiades, K; Goffin, J; Rinke, M; Buyle, M; Audenaert, A; Blom, J
Title Standardisation: An essential enabler for the circular reuse of construction components? A trajectory for a cleaner European construction industry
Year 2021
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126864
Abstract The concept of a circular economy has been proposed as a key component of a solution for the finiteness of earth's resources. As one path, the research on the direct reuse of construction components focusses on strategies for designing buildings for disassembly in the end-of-life stage. This is of particular importance because it can reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry. The recently published ISO 20887 also advocates to design buildings for disassembly and to use standard-sized components. However, to the authors' knowledge the role of standardisation in this process remains unexplored. Therefore, in this paper the evolution of standardisation is studied in order to identify the drivers for standardisation and currently available standards that aid and support the claims of the ISO 20887. This study concludes that most standards are introduced from an economic, rather than an environmental point of view. Also, ISO 20887 seems to be the first actual standard addressing the idea of reusing building components. Through an integrative discussion of the available types of construction standards, the problem areas obstructing the required further standardisation are identified: protectionism of contractors whom perceive standardisation as a threat, protectionism of manufacturers whom are reluctant to change the organisation structure, and designers whom seem least aware of the need to implement the circular economy in the construction sector. Finally, a corresponding trajectory is proposed for future standardisation to tackle these problem areas and to actually perform its role as an essential enabler for circular Reuse in the construction sector. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Author Keywords Construction; Circular economy; Design for disassembly; Reuse; Reverse logistics; Standardisation
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000697162500007
WoS Category Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
PDF https://repository.uantwerpen.be/docstore/d:irua:7044
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