What happened
A study of 376 construction companies in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region found an association between local commercial activity and the uptake of circular practices. Companies generating at least half of their work in local markets were 15% more likely to adopt new circular approaches.
Researchers examined measures including lower-impact substitutes for virgin inert materials, waste prevention, selective demolition, decontamination, on-site reuse of construction and demolition materials, and transfers of those materials to other businesses. Bigger companies were also more likely to take up these measures, reflecting their greater capacity to fund research and development.
The findings suggest that nearby businesses and stronger links between them can make circular activity more practical. Shorter transport distances can reduce the cost of moving recovered materials, while local supply chains can support quality checks and the sharing of knowledge.
Why it matters
The European Commission says construction produces almost one-third of EU waste and accounts for close to 40% of greenhouse-gas emissions. Increasing reuse and higher-quality recycling could therefore affect both material use and emissions across the sector.
For construction companies operating in EU markets, the research points to potential value in partnerships that help move secondary materials between firms. It also indicates that smaller businesses may need support to invest in costly measures such as selective demolition and decontamination. The source provides no Türkiye-specific results.
Background
The EU Circular Economy Action Plan identifies construction as a sector with substantial scope for more circular material use. The Waste Framework Directive prioritises reuse and high-quality recycling for construction and demolition waste. The researchers caution that their evidence covers one region and one period, so it should be considered alongside further research.
The study recommends support for research and development, training for managers, incentives that reduce the cost difference between secondary and virgin aggregates, and collaboration between firms handling construction by-products.
