Challenges to Circular Economy Adoption: South African Built Environment Professionals’ Perspective

O. K. Otasowie, C. Aigbavboa, P. Adekunle, A. Oke

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The linear approach which follows the principles of take-make-dispose’ still dominates the construction sector. The relative significant negative implications of this approach on the environment requires a paradigm shift. Circular economy (CE) has been regarded as an approach that could lead to environmentally sustainable development if adopted in the industry. However, there have been concerns in some quarters as regards the challenges to the adoption of CE approach. Hence, this study evaluates the challenges to circular economy adoption in the South African (SA) construction industry. A survey method was selected. Ninety (90) of the one hundred and thirty-five (135) questionnaires that were sent to construction industry professionals in Guateng Province, South Africa, were returned and deemed appropriate for study. One-sample t-tests, Kruskal–Wallis, standard deviation, percentage, and mean item scores were used to analyze the collected data. The findings reveal the significant challenges to the adoption of CE in SA construction industry which are lack of financial incentives, lack of knowledge, low virgin material costs, and lack of design expertise amongst others. This finding could inform construction stakeholders in the country on the present challenges to the adoption of CE and these challenges identified must encourage stakeholders to take significant steps towards addressing the them such that the SA construction industry benefit from this all-important approach.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTowards a Carbon Neutral Future - The Proceedings of The 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Buildings and Structures
EditorsKonstantinos Papadikis, Cheng Zhang, Shu Tang, Engui Liu, Luigi Di Sarno
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages207-215
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9789819979646
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event3rd International Conference on Sustainable Buildings and Structures, ICSBS 2023 - Suzhou, China
Duration: 17 Aug 202320 Aug 2023

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume393
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference3rd International Conference on Sustainable Buildings and Structures, ICSBS 2023
Country/TerritoryChina
CitySuzhou
Period17/08/2320/08/23

Keywords

  • Circular economy adoption
  • Construction industry
  • South African

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Challenges to Circular Economy Adoption: South African Built Environment Professionals’ Perspective'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this