Graphic with the institute building at the center to illustrate the crisis economy in construction; circulating arrows connect the keywords raw materials, construction, use, dismantling, recycling, and reuse.

Circular economy construction - Renewing old behavioral patterns in construction

Recycling of construction waste

Circular economy in construction aims to completely recycle the materials used at the end of their life or to return them to the natural cycle. This can also reduce resource consumption and construction waste in the course of MPG construction projects.

Circular culture

Considering that as of 2020, almost 35% of construction waste was recycled and reused (13th Monitoring Report of the Circular Economy in Construction), the MPG's primary goal must be to reduce the generation of construction waste wherever possible by reusing existing buildings or leasing existing properties. To achieve this, outdated behavioral patterns must be reconsidered and processes in the construction industry must be changed. The circular culture at the MPG is to be fostered and implemented through the use of innovative technology and materials. The research and development of building materials strives to develop energy-efficient and resource-saving materials in order to replace, for example, 'old' building materials such as concrete. In all construction projects in the coming years, the focus will increasingly be on keeping the amount of unavoidable waste as low as possible. This can be achieved through recycling-friendly

construction of the buildings,
appropriate construction site operations,
demolition in a way that is suitable for recycling.

In addition, the legal framework (including standardization, waste law or the guarantee of RC building materials) is crucial for the economic recycling of building materials. The current laws and guidelines are still rather restrictive, especially for the use of RC concrete, for example.