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Circular construction is all about better and more economical use of resources, materials and space as well as less waste. Because building and living has a big impact on our carbon footprint, a switch to circular construction makes a huge difference. On this page, you will discover everything you need to know about circular procurement in construction. And how to get started step-by-step.
On 22 February 2019, the then Flemish Minister of Environment, Nature and Agriculture Koen Van den Heuvel launched the Green Deal Circular Construction at Batibouw, on the initiative of Circular Flanders, OVAM and Embuild Flanders. Through this joint commitment, construction companies, building material producers, local and regional governments, private building clients, researchers and other organisations worked together to make circular construction a daily reality in Flanders in the future. All information is available on the Circular Construction page.
Since 2022, the actions have been implemented within the Strategic Agenda Circular Construction. Experiences, publications and lessons learned relating to circular procurement in the construction sector from the Green Deal and the Strategic Agenda have been compiled in the Learning Hub Construction.
How do you build for the future?
Simply put, it means incorporating the possibility for change, so that a building can adapt to the changing needs of those who live or work in it. For example, new family compositions, older people or different ways of working.
A building that lasts longer generates less waste and uses fewer resources and energy. The gains include lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced land use. A future-oriented building can reap ecological, financial and social dividends.
Learn more about future-oriented construction in this practical guide from OVAM.
Examples
Circular Strategies
The first question in any project: is a new building really necessary or can an existing building be (partially) repurposed? To weigh it up, life-cycle assessment (LCA) comes in handy, as does insight into the life-cycle cost (LCC). Bear in mind that these analyses require extensive study by an external expert.
Other factors to keep in mind: budget and location, historical value and condition of the building, access to nearby (shared) infrastructure, possible other users, etc.
Check out these tools for more insight:
Ambition map circular construction for local governments: overview of key principles.
Ambition map circular construction residential: overview of key principles.
GRO: a tool that helps you incorporate sustainability into your construction projects.
TOTEM: a tool to identify and reduce the environmental impact of buildings from the design phase.
Rent or share: platforms such as Klusbib allow you to share tools with others. Similarly, multipurpose rooms for different users ensure optimal utilisation.
Shell construction materials: design with shell construction materials as finishing.
Repurposing or renovation: breathing new life into existing buildings requires fewer materials than new construction.
Minimal use of materials: reduce the amount of materials (where technically possible) and avoid waste.
Reuse and reduce waste: draw up an inventory of resources and waste in the building before you renovate, dismantle or demolish. That way, they can be reused or recycled on site or elsewhere. Integrate recovered building elements early in the process: prior to the tendering or include in the specifications that an inventory must be carried out. Want to reuse materials somewhere else? Then keep in mind the fluctuating supply and the fact there may be different sizes. Also envisage solutions for storage and logistics. Recommended: the Guide to Sustainable Buildings of the Brussels Region. Also check Opalis for more info on reuse materials.
Consult tools and databases that provide insight into the environmental impact of materials, such as TOTEM.
Strive as much as possible to reuse materials and fixtures, and test the impact via TOTEM.
Use more recycled materials. Through a market survey, you can find out what the latest developments are and what percentage of recycled content you can ask for in your specifications.
Use more bio-based content. A market survey can provide insight on what is possible for your functional needs.
Cut energy consumption. Lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation all guzzle energy. They have a significant environmental impact that depends mainly on the thermal efficiency of a building.
Choose PV panels, heat pumps, solar water heaters, etc.
Arrange transport by rail or water if feasible: the CO2 emissions are lower compared to trucks. If you do go for road transport, make sure trucks do not drive empty.
Design modular or for changing use, with flexibility and (re)design in mind (e.g., from home to coworking space).
Design with a change-oriented approach, taking future functions into account (functional adaptability).
Make contractual arrangements for maintenance and repair so that the building and facilities last longer.
Choose robust products that are more resistant to wear and tear, and materials that are suitable for upgrade.
Design things with the longest possible useful life. When building floors are designed separately, you can more easily replace utility lines or modernise facades. Choose durable and hard-wearing materials.
Choose connecting pieces that are easier to repair, maintain and disassemble.
Include stipulations in the contract on extending the useful life. DBFM (Design, Build, Finance & Maintain) projects have a positive impact on the quality and longevity of buildings.
Design for disassembly. Products and connecting pieces that are easy to disassemble are more likely to be reused.
Design with an eye for modularity, prefabrication and standardisation (so you can more easily replace, modify or reuse parts).
Ensure insight into the composition and connecting pieces. If you can disconnect connecting pieces, parts can be reused. Use lime or bastard mortar for facing bricks rather than cement mortar.
When renovating or demolishing, draw up an inventory of existing resources - the basis for a plan that promotes reuse.
Make contractual agreements with suppliers regarding take-back and reuse at end-of-life, possibly stipulating residual value. Ask for guarantees of reuse.
Set up circular business models. When demolishing or renovating, use existing materials as much as possible. There are specialised companies that put these materials back into circulation for reuse. You can also give them away via informal channels.
Design for recycling. It must be easy to separate materials, and they must not be contaminated.
Make sure there is insight into materials. When renovating or demolishing, draw up an inventory of existing resources - the basis for a plan that promotes high-end recycling (if reuse is not possible). For new construction, a materials passport or sheet clearly maps out what materials are available and the best way to recycle them (if reuse is not an option).
Make contractual arrangements for take-back and recycling.
Limit toxic substances that negatively impact indoor environment and health. Materials containing these substances are not suitable for reuse or recycling either.
Preferably use materials that are biodegradable/compostable (loam, shells, hemp, jute, etc.).
Choose components that are easy to separate and elements that can be dismantled into pure raw materials.
Discuss demolition and/or dismantling with second-hand markets or platforms.
Contract types
Five options, each with advantages and disadvantages. How you plan the tender has a big impact on the outcome, especially for collaboration. Think carefully about when it is best to introduce circular criteria into the procurement process. Specify your circular ambitions during internal project planning and include them in your specifications.
Employer design (classic) - Choose a design team via a request for proposal or competition. Indicate your circular goals in the contract. Based on the design, prepare award criteria for a main contractor. In a one-step process, the contractor must understand and be able to implement the circular requirements. In a two-step process, the client and main contractor choose the main subcontractors together. This form of contract allows contractors to offer cost-effective and innovative solutions.
Integrated Design & Build (DB) - You appoint one team with designer(s) and a contractor. You only choose a design after that. This approach means less risk in innovative projects and ensures flexibility in meeting the client's requirements. Performance requirements must be carefully specified and include circular requirements.
Construction team - The designer and contractor make the plans together, with the contractor contributing technical knowledge and practical experience. This avoids problems during implementation. After the design phase, the team is disbanded and you choose a contractor for the implementation. Read more about this in the Kamp C article.
Design, Build & Operate (DBO) - The building client sets out detailed specifications and selects a contractor to be responsible for the building for 20 to 30 years. The financial agreement for use is in the contract. The 'operator' assumes many of the risks. This is often the case in consortia that bring together different parties (contractors, investors and service providers). Prioritise circular requirements when selecting the contractor. A variant of DBO is an Energy Performance Contract for renovations designed to reduce a building's energy consumption or CO2 emissions.
Facilities management - As a building client, you can take care of management and maintenance yourself, or choose to outsource this to a specialised company. You include energy, water and waste management. Consider including sustainability requirements in your specifications, and work with bonus or penalty clauses if necessary.
Source: EU GPP Guidance
Specification texts
Specification texts were difficult to find and not centrally available, which often meant that interested tenderers often abandoned the process due to lack of time. CircuBestek offers a solution. The online platform:
offers free circular specification texts;
is aimed at both established and new contracting authorities;
also shares texts through traditional channels (VMSW, C3A).
An expert panel of architects, manufacturers, lawyers and representatives helped shape and test the platform. This ensures that it is aligned with the practical needs and increases support.
Circubestek is an initiative of Redactiebureau Palindrome, VIBE and Blieberg.
To Circubestek (In Dutch)
The product database contains materials and products sheets that are useful in circular construction projects and have been screened for circularity by VIBE. You can search by brand name and also find neutral descriptions to use in your specifications. That way, you know how to ask for innovative products for your construction project.
Tip: The learning hub includes a learning pack to boost your knowledge and understanding of circular construction. Lesson 4 is a must for local authorities, with sections such as the technical specifications, functionally specifying circular requirements and the administrative specifications CABRIO.
Selection and award criteria
CABRIO (Circular Administrative Provisions and Guidelines In Public Procurement) provides standard tender documents with selection and award criteria. You can easily adapt them to your project as regards sustainability, quality, price, experience and other aspects.
These documents provide a solid foundation for your procurement procedures and save you considerable time and effort.
The human factor
For a successful circular construction project, the building client must form a good team with all parties involved. Even more than in traditional projects, everyone needs to be on the same page. Communicate the building client's circular ambitions and expected competencies from the start. And put together a team that wants to contribute to these goals. Sometimes mindset is more important than experience.
Criteria
EU GPP website: comprehensive dossiers with criteria on design, construction and management of office buildings (under review), boilers and sanitary appliances
TOTEM: tool to objectify and reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
GRO: tool to measure and increase the sustainability of construction projects.
Circubestek: free circular specification texts.
CABRIO: practical guide that helps public clients integrate circular aspects into their public contracts.
SRPP criteria tool: relevant criteria under the office buildings cluster
Life Cycle Cost
The Public Procurement Act stipulates that the contract must be awarded to the most economically advantageous tenderer (MEAT). As such, the cost can be calculated based on the life cycle of the product (Life Cycle Cost). Not only does that bring acquisition costs into account, but also operating and adaptation costs (Total Cost of Ownership). Even the external costs to the environment and society can be included.
Tools that give a helping hand in this regard
Commercial LCC/LCA tools.
It is important to inventorise all materials and products available, for increased reuse and selective demolition. Take advantage of tools for Building Information Modeling (BIM) and material passports .
Overall sustainability assessment: BREEAM, GRO, Level(s), CO2 performance ladder, etc.
Measuring tools
: CBA, BCI, C-Calc
Labels: Circular building, Cradle-to-cradle, FSC, NIBE, NaturePlus, Ecolabel
Healthy buildings
A healthy, attractive environment contributes to a longer building life and reduces the need for renovations. Did you know that employees are more productive and less likely to be sick in an environment with healthy air and adequate daylight? Stipulate in your tender that no toxic substances can be used. And insist on smart climate control, enough light and protection from the influx of polluted air.
Tip: With natural solutions, you kill three birds with one stone. They make users happier, boost biodiversity and improve heat and air quality. Green roofs, living walls, indoor gardens and rainwater systems will take you far.
