Circular Economy Development in the Construction Sector in Japan

Husgafvel, Roope; Sakaguchi, Daishi

doi:10.3390/world3010001

Cited by 7 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(205 reference statements)

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“…Overall, the chosen survey themes, questions and answering options were based on (1) review of international, EU, national and regional sources (e.g., [1][2][3][4][5][8][9][10]19,20]); (2) literature review and previous studies (e.g., [6,7,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]); (3) our previous studies [42][43][44][45][46][47][48]; and (4) assessment of the global, EU and national operational environment for CE with special emphasis on management, assessment and reporting aspects. Similar to our previous studies, face validity (peer review) [38] was applied to check the coherence and quality of the overall questionnaire and its parts.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Company Perspectives on Circular Economy Management, Assessment and Reporting in the Kymenlaakso Region in Finland

Husgafvel

2023

Sustainability

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In general, circular economy development is about a system-level change towards significantly enhanced circularity and sustainability encompassing both biological and technical cycles. This study aimed at exploring, identifying, analyzing and synthesizing how companies in the Kymenlaakso region perceive circular economy management, assessment and reporting. This study applied a qualitative research approach using a questionnaire survey as the specific method. The responding companies are of many sizes and represent multiple sectors such as industry, construction and various services. This study addressed a clear gap in research on company-level perspectives. The results indicate that recycling and recovery of materials are perceived as particularly important by companies. In addition, the principles of CE (10Rs) are considered to be important by most companies. Essential management approaches encompass, for example, CE strategy and goals, business ecosystems and development of markets for recycled and recovered products and parts. Companies considered that recycling, recovery, waste minimization and utilization of waste as a raw material, as well as an increase in recycled content in products, reduction in disposable products and prevention of premature obsolescence, are important CE assessment and measurement approaches. For example, continuous reporting of CE as a part of online communication of companies (i.a. sustainability and responsibility), the definition of best practices and best available techniques for CE, and reporting in the whole supply and value chain were perceived as important ways to report CE. However, it is noteworthy that many of the studied aspects of CE were not perceived to be important by companies. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the current state of and future outlook on circular economy development in the studied region and also highlights relevant management, assessment and reporting aspects from the perspective of local companies.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Company Perspectives on Circular Economy Management, Assessment and Reporting in the Kymenlaakso Region in Finland

Husgafvel

2023

Sustainability

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“…The results indicate that training and competence development; sustainability and long life cycles of products, components and materials; the maintenance, renovation, refurbishment, retrofitting and conversion of existing buildings; the sustainability of materials; market creation for recovered and recycled materials, components and products; and co-creation and cooperation covering the whole life cycle of construction and the whole supply chain were considered to be very important by the respondents Our previous findings indicate that the best approaches to promote CE encompass the use of sustainable and renewable raw materials; consumer awareness; and the design, use, and manufacturing of sustainable, recyclable, reusable and repairable products, components and materials [65]. In addition, the development of CE and sustainability-oriented products, components and materials is essential [65]. Sustainable, long-lasting and fixable products and new services and products are among the important drivers and opportunities associated with CE development [66].…”

Section: The Importance Of Ce Aspects In the Wood Construction Sectormentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Our previous findings indicate that (1) the best way to create and maintain value in a CE is the design and manufacturing of sustainable, recyclable, reusable and repairable products, components and materials [65]; (2) important CE drivers and opportunities include sustainable, long-lasting and fixable products and new services and products [66]; (3) the best approach to promote sustainable production is the use of renewable raw materials, whereas the best approach to promote sustainable consumption is the enhancement of consumer awareness [65]; and (4) the areas with the most potential to create significant CE innovations encompass sustainable, recyclable, reusable and repairable products, components and materials and sustainable and renewable raw materials [65]. In general, a CE aims at maximizing the value of products in each point of its life, and it changes economic logic as it highlights methods of sufficiency (not production), including reuse, recycling, repair and remanufacturing as well as the preservation of physical stocks [18].…”

Section: The Importance Of Approaches To Integrate Ce Into Wood Const...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our previous findings indicate the need to address technological, economical and social barriers to the CE such as (1) the lack of general knowledge about circular economy opportunities and seeing the "big picture"; (2) the few economic benefits associated with sorting and recycling (profitability); (3) sustainability marketing and consumer awareness; (4) the development of sustainable, recyclable, reusable and repairable products, components and materials; and (5) the creation of economic value and incentives [65]. For example, wooden multi-story construction products are sustainability-driven and multiactor projects that require collaboration and learning that can be advanced via the business ecosystem approach [112].…”

Section: The Importance Of Aspects Related To Ce Ecosystems In the Wo...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…CE strategies in the construction sector need to overcome limitations related to policies, definitions and projects including (1) the too narrow scale for the application of the CE concept (e.g., multiple scales such as city, region, country, EU or international beyond the site/project); (2) the lack of coordination between the CE and spatial planning (e.g., the need to integrate planning into CE action); (3) the low consideration of the territorial context in the definition of strategies (e.g., local resources and issues); and (4) the uncertain scope of the CE (e.g., balancing broader sustainable development and more operational approaches to the CE concept) [113]. Our previous findings indicate the need to address technological, economical and social barriers to the CE such as (1) the lack of general knowledge about circular economy opportunities and seeing the "big picture"; (2) the few economic benefits associated with sorting and recycling (profitability); (3) sustainability marketing and consumer awareness; (4) the development of sustainable, recyclable, reusable and repairable products, components and materials; and (5) the creation of economic value and incentives [65]. For example, wooden multi-story construction products are sustainabilitydriven and multi-actor projects that require collaboration and learning that can be advanced via the business ecosystem approach [112].…”

Section: The Importance Of Aspects Related To Ce Ecosystems In the Wo...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Circular Economy Development in the Wood Construction Sector in Finland

Husgafvel

Sakaguchi

2023

Sustainability

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Circular economy development is about a system level change towards enhanced sustainability and circularity covering both biological and technical cycles. This study aimed at exploring, identifying, analyzing and synthesizing the current state of and future outlook on CE development in the wood construction sector in Finland as perceived by various sectoral companies. This study focused on multiple themes related to the importance of the various aspects of a CE and associated approaches in this particular sector. This study applied a qualitative research approach, and a questionnaire survey was the specific method. The survey was sent to both architectural and construction sector companies. This study addressed a gap in research and contributes to the better understanding of the current state of and future outlook on CE development in the wood construction sector. The results indicate that the CE concept is mostly considered to be an important part of building design and construction. However, some respondents found that this concept is new to them. Interestingly, the cascading use of wood and the assessment and measurement of a CE were not at all familiar to many respondents. Particularly important CE aspects in the wood construction sector include, for example, sustainability and the long life cycles of products, components and materials; co-creation and cooperation covering the whole life cycle of construction and the whole supply chain; training and competence development; and design for a CE, sustainability and long life cycles. Many essential elements of a CE were in use, coming into use or in consideration by many of the sectoral companies.

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