Become a pioneer: harnessing the virtues of the circular economy
More and more businesses and industries are adopting the principles & practices of the circular economy. They incorporate recycled materials – such as concrete from demolition sites – and apply modular designs that make it easier to take structures apart and reuse them. Eco-design drives continuous improvement by minimising a product’s environmental footprint throughout its lifecycle, including by preferring renewable resources. At GSE, systematic lifeycle analyses (LCA) of our projects enable us to measure and reduce our construction materials’ carbon impact, from their extraction to their end-of-life.
Going circular involves serious challenges, but also great opportunities:
- Innovation and competitiveness: innovative companies stand out in the crowd and can win market share with their eco-responsible practices. Building with recycled concrete, reused bricks or reclaimed wood is a step forward for the construction industry.
- Reduced costs: reducing waste and improving resource efficiency can yield significant savings in the long term. For example, recovering materials directly on construction sites and making them into new resources – such as crushed concrete turned into gravel – cuts both purchasing and transport costs.
- Resilience: the circular economy makes businesses and economies more resilient to resource shortages and fluctuations in raw material prices.
Reuse: how we give resources a second life
In our mission to build a more sustainable future, re-use stands out as a key strategy to reduce waste and preserve resources. Rather than throw stuff away after its initial use, re-use gives it a new life – often with little or no processing.
Materials can be reused in many lines of business, not least in construction. In offices, for example, you can restore and modernise old furniture to suit new spaces. Sanitaryware can be reinstalled and building materials can be recovered for new projects.
By embracing reuse, you actively help to reduce waste, preserve natural resources and build a more sustainable future.
Extending buildings’ life through renovation
Renovating existing structures is a more effective sustainability strategy than demolition followed by newbuild. This approach aims to preserve and revitalise existing constructions, extending their life. Choosing to renovate means decreasing your consumption of natural resources, reducing construction waste and a shrinking your carbon footprint. Renovation is also an opportunity to modernise energy systems, making buildings less energy-intensive and more comfortable for their occupants. By prioritising renovation, we are affirming our commitment to the responsible management of resources and the preservation of our cities for present and future generations.
