Framework for Reuse of Secondary Products in New Constructions

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Abstract

Reuse of building material is an integral part of making the product circular. However, there is lack of working frameworks and practical tools which can quantify the feasibility of reuse over other choices such as virgin material use or recycling for that matter. Therefore, this research focuses on the development of such a working framework which can guide and assess the feasibility of reuse in new building construction. The tool is so developed that it guides from the very basic step of material selection to its assessment to the quantification of economic as well as environmental benefits of reuse. A case study is used to verify the application of the model. The results show how reuse is possible in the case of open loop recycling and not in the case of close loop recycling indication recycling to be a preferred option in the latter case. Barriers such as lack of information of the product life cycle (use) is found to limit the reuse possibilities. Lastly the intangible aspects of reuse such as aesthetic and emotional value addition are also discussed, and its impact is visible in the case study.