Factors Influencing Circular Economy Adoption in the South African Construction Sector

The traditional and current “extract-produce-use-dump” paradigm for energy and material flow of the contemporary economic system is not sustainable. An alternate, cyclical flow model for the economy is needed due to the relatively considerable adverse environmental effects of the linear approach. Methods for circular economy (CE) are being created and implemented more in the construction sector now, although the process has been inconsistent. However, there is no study that has identified the factors or rationale behind the adoption of CE in the built environment sector, particularly in the South African (SA) context. Hence, there is a need to examine the influencing factors of CE adoption in the construction sector. The study adopted a survey design, with construction professionals in Gauteng Province, SA, as the respondents. One hundred and forty-five (145) questionnaires were sent out, of which ninety-seven (97) were returned and used for analysis. Mean item score, percentage, one-sample t-test, standard deviation, and Kruskal–Wallis. The findings reveal the factors influencing the adoption of CE in the construction sector, which are potential business opportunities, production of waste, exploitation of resources, production of greenhouse gases, contribution to pollution, and climate change. Based on the study’s findings, the ultimate goal of the circular economy is to produce many forms of value to improve the resource effectiveness and efficiency of an economy in response to the mounting demand for natural resources. If it is profitable, construction entrepreneurs will be eager to practice sustainability. Hence, for greater entrepreneurship, more employment, better environmental circumstances, less construction waste dumped in landfills, enhanced economic sustainability, and decreased raw material needs, governments must promote the adoption of CE in the construction sector through policies.