Policies as Drivers for Circular Economy in the Construction Sector in the Nordics

Malin zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, Margareta Wahlström, Thilde Fruergaard Astrup, Carl Jensen, Anke Oberender, Pernilla Johansson and Eirik Rudi Waerner
Additional contact information
Malin zu Castell-Rüdenhausen: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02044 Espoo, Finland
Margareta Wahlström: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02044 Espoo, Finland
Thilde Fruergaard Astrup: Danish Technological Institute, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark
Carl Jensen: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 50115 Borås, Sweden
Anke Oberender: Danish Technological Institute, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark
Pernilla Johansson: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, 50115 Borås, Sweden
Eirik Rudi Waerner: Multiconsult, 0213 Oslo, Norway

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-18

Abstract: A circular economy (CE) represents the key alternative to the linear ‘take-make-consume-dispose’ economic model, that still predominates in the construction sector. This study investigates how policies support CE-focused businesses in the construction sector in the Nordics. A literature review, the creation of a database, a review of Nordic actors with a CE focus, and targeted interviews with actors across the value chain of the construction sector in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden enabled us to benchmark the CE policy landscape and assess how CE policies at different levels support CE business models in the construction sector. The results show that the construction sector is well represented in the CE policy frameworks and that many business opportunities are created when national and local policies are put into practice. The implementation of policies is mainly done via three key concepts, i.e., planning, requirements for sustainable constructions, and requirements for public procurement. It can be concluded that policies are drivers for the implementation of a CE and support CE business models in the Nordics.

Keywords: construction sector; circular economy; policies; recycling; reuse (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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