Evaluating the Circular Economy Potential of Modular Construction in Developing Economies—A Life Cycle Assessment

Janappriya Jayawardana, Malindu Sandanayake (), Asela K. Kulatunga, J. A. S. C. Jayasinghe, Guomin Zhang () and S. A. Udara Osadith
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Janappriya Jayawardana: Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Malindu Sandanayake: Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia
Asela K. Kulatunga: Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy 20400, Sri Lanka
J. A. S. C. Jayasinghe: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy 20400, Sri Lanka
Guomin Zhang: Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
S. A. Udara Osadith: Department of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Kandy 20400, Sri Lanka

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 23, 1-25

Abstract: Circular economy (CE) is an emergent concept that promotes resource circularity in multiple product systems. Modular construction (MC), an evolving construction technique, which includes an off-site manufacturing environment, increasingly supports CE strategies such as reuse due to the elevated potential for design for disassembly (DfD). Design-stage environmental assessments are paramount in aiding the early decision making of modular construction projects to successfully plan and implement DfD strategies. Research on synergising modular construction, circular economy and environmental sustainability is rare in developing economies. Thus, the current study aims to conduct a design-stage life cycle assessment of a DfD and linear versions of a modular building unit in Sri Lanka to evaluate the potential environmental benefits. The life cycle assessment results highlight that the DfD strategy has the lowest environmental impacts in all categories, with a 63% reduction in global warming potential and an approximately 90% reduction in terms of human toxicity compared to the linear version. Further, it showed the elevated potential of reuse compared to recycling practices in improving the environmental performance. Sensitivity assessment revealed that steel was the most sensitive to the change in reuse percentage among main building materials. The analysis outcomes highlight the importance of long-term thinking, architectural design creativity and industrial and technology development to uptake the CE-driven MC in the Sri Lankan context. Finally, strategies are proposed to support the CE approach in MC in developing regions. Both quantitative and qualitative outcomes provide a basis for construction industry stakeholders, academia, and policy makers to explore further and promote modular construction practices to enhance the circularity of building materials and components in developing regions.

Keywords: circular economy; modular construction; life cycle assessment; reuse and recycle; design for disassembly; design stage; off-site manufacturing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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