Digital materials passports have the potential to revolutionize the construction industry and help move towards a circular economy, according to Andrew Mitchell, operations director for sustainability at Mace. With construction currently accounting for over 40% of global carbon emissions, it is crucial to find ways to reduce waste and minimize the demand for raw materials.
One way to achieve this is by extending the lifespan of building materials and components. By reusing existing buildings and components that are still in good condition, we can significantly reduce the need for new materials and the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing them.
To make this shift towards a circular economy, we need to prioritize the reuse and repurposing of materials in the construction industry. This not only helps preserve valuable resources but also reduces the embodied carbon of buildings by minimizing the consumption of raw materials.
Material passports play a key role in this process by providing digital documents that detail a building’s components, characteristics, and materials. These passports make it easier to identify materials that can be reused in the future, thereby reducing waste at the end of a building’s lifespan.
While the concept of material passports has been around for some time, their practical implementation in the construction industry has been limited. However, projects like the Edenica development on Fetter Lane are leading the way by incorporating material passports and setting new standards for sustainable construction practices.
In order to fully harness the potential of material passports, there needs to be wider adoption across the industry. Transparency around reclaimed materials and data accessibility are crucial for creating a market for reused materials. Data storage structures must allow for easy access and editing throughout the building’s lifespan, and the information needs to be updated as building elements are renewed.
By embracing material passports and promoting the reuse of building materials, the construction industry can significantly reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste, and contribute to a more sustainable circular economy. It is essential for developers and construction firms to adopt these practices in order to drive forward the industry’s efforts towards a more environmentally friendly built environment.