Design for designed for disassembly may not be Disassembly 3/ economically viable for a new owner who may not have the same focus on One key principle of the circular econo- sustainability or may not be willing to my is designing products and materials invest in the necessary disassembly with their end of life in mind. In construc- and recycling infrastructure. tion, this could mean designing build- ings, products and tools that can be eas- Reuse Materials ily dismantled and the materials reused 4/ or recycled. This is known as “designing for disassembly.” Salvaging materials from demolition sites, using reclaimed wood or other One example is designing a building materials in new construction, and using modular components – such as refurbishing existing buildings and mechanical, electrical and pipe support tools can help save money on pur- systems – that can be disassembled and chasing new materials, reduce waste, reused in other buildings. This would and minimize environmental impact. help reduce the amount of waste gen- erated during the construction process, Recycle Materials save money on disposal costs, and 5/ potentially generate additional revenue from the sale of the reused or recycled Recycling is an important component materials. of the circular economy. By recycling materials at the end of their life cycle, However, there are challenges to imple- construction companies can reduce menting circular design in construction. waste and conserve natural resourc- Construction projects often have long es. Recycling can include everything timelines, which means that the own- from concrete, asphalt, scrap metal, ership of a building or tool may change and plastic to tools, consumables, multiple times over the course of its life. and packaging. Purchasers can also This can make it dif昀椀cult to ensure that contribute by seeking out suppliers the disassembled building materials are who prioritize recycled materials in reused or recycled. In addition, a building their products. / 4