The construction industry today accounts for a significant portion of the world's resource consumption and waste production, which greatly impacts the environment. This study examines the opportunities and challenges associated with the reuse of materials within the Swedish construction industry, particularly in large infrastructure and construction projects. The aim is to investigate current practices regarding reuse, identify obstacles and opportunities, and propose improvements to promote circularity in the construction sector. Through an interview study and a field study of an ongoing construction project, the research provides an in-depth understanding of how reuse is handled in practice and the challenges involved. The results show that despite a great interest in reuse, there are significant obstacles such as regulations, economic factors, and a lack of coordination. Many companies and authorities view reuse as a necessary measure to reduce environmental impact, but face challenges such as costs and complex regulations. However, opportunities exist through digital solutions and better coordination, which can make reuse both economically and environmentally beneficial. Projects with the proper conditions show that reuse can be both profitable and environmentally friendly. The study suggests that to increase reuse in the construction industry, policy adjustments, better economic incentives, and further development of digital platforms for coordination and efficient management of reused materials are required. By introducing clearer regulations and creating economic incentives, companies can be motivated to choose reuse over virgin materials. With the right measures, the environmental impact of the construction industry can be significantly reduced, contributing to a more sustainable future.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-534015 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Mathias, Fernqvist, Douglas, Ulfshagen, Eric, Bullat |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Industriell teknik |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | SAMINT-IE ; 24011 |
Page generated in 0.0012 seconds