Now in its 18^th year, Recycle Week 2021 could be considered more important than ever. Taking place in the run up to the COP26 climate change conference being held in Glasgow, it will focus on the steps both individuals and businesses can take to help tackle the climate crisis.

This year’s theme is ‘step it up’ and with the real estate sector accounting for over a third of global carbon emissions, it is essential that we do just that.

The impact of waste and recycling on climate change is often overlooked and extends far beyond the CO2 emissions generated by waste incineration and refuse vehicles. For example, the property industry in particular uses a considerable number of materials, from steel, concrete and glass to furniture, lighting and ventilation systems. All of which contribute to the carbon embodied in the design and construction of buildings.

What, then, can we do about it?

Aside from making an individual effort to produce less waste, it is essential that we start integrating circular economy principles into building design and operations. With the World Green Building Council estimating that a third of the sector's emissions derive from design decisions and construction techniques, incorporating these principles has the potential to make a serious contribution to the decarbonisation of the sector.

Ultimately, the circular economy aims to replace the inefficient flows of materials and resources with ones that are kept in use for as long as possible. When they are no longer of use, they are then recovered and remanufactured into new products. More and more businesses are embracing circularity and now entire industries from consumer technology to fashion are adopting circular principles.

How these principles can be applied to real estate depends on whether it is an existing asset or under development.

For existing buildings this can include incorporating best in class waste strategies in order to move towards ‘zero waste’. This would mean maximising the amount of material separated on site to generate high quality recycling, while working with occupiers to change behaviours and increase the use of reusable alternatives to disposable products. Sustainable procurement strategies can also help to mandate the use of fixtures and fittings with high recycled content, or designed with end of life disassembly and reuse in mind.

The idea of servitisation should also be considered. This is the use of a product as a service, which avoids the need to purchase lighting, flooring or other building components. Leasing rather than ownership allows equipment to be replaced, upgraded, repurposed and, most importantly, reused multiple times.

For new developments, in addition to the above, there is also the opportunity to design circularity in to the building itself. Everything from using recycled construction materials, to designing for end of life recovery in order to reuse various components can be factored in at the design stage. There is also the opportunity to account for flexibility and adaptability in order to sustainably respond to changing market conditions and working practices.

While recycling may seem like an obvious step to tackling climate change, we shouldn’t waste either the opportunity or the materials to make a significant difference.

Further information

Contact Nick Iles

Learn more: Energy & Sustainability