Waste Reduction as an Economic Opportunity

This panel explores how waste minimisation, material recovery, and circular design can create economic value within the construction sector. It will consider the systemic changes required across design, procurement, and delivery to transition toward a resource-efficient, low-carbon built environment.

Learning Outcomes
Following this presentation, you should be able to:

· Quantify the amount of waste generated by the construction sector
· Outline the negative environmental effects of this waste
· Define the term ‘circularity’ as it applies to the built environment
· Outline the changes required across design, procurement, and delivery to transition to a low-carbon built environment

This presentation will deliver outcomes related to the following Competency/s from the National Standard of Competency for Architects 2021:

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

PC 10 – Demonstrate understanding of the whole life carbon implications of procurement methods, materials, components and construction systems.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

PC 31 – Be able to identify, analyse and integrate information relevant to environmental sustainability – such as energy and water consumption, resources depletion, waste, embodied carbon and carbon emissions – over the lifecycle of a project.

PC 35 – Be able to assess operational and embodied carbon implications of materials, components, construction systems and supply chains (including transport) to achieve net zero whole life carbon when developing design concepts. This includes integrating relevant consultant expertise and advising on the impact of chosen materials, components and systems on carbon outcomes.

PC 45 – Be able to nominate and integrate quality and performance standards with regard to selected materials, finishes, fittings, components and systems, considering the impact on Country and the environment, and the whole life carbon impact of the project. This includes integrating life cycle assessments and other expertise and advice from consultants.