The nation is one of four in Europe selected to model a Circular Construction Hub – a second-hand marketplace for materials used in building and infrastructure projects.
Led by Zero Waste Scotland, the project is set to see an investment-ready Circular Construction Hub model prepared by December 2027.
Zero Waste Scotland has said the initiative has “huge potential” to keep valuable materials in good use for longer, with it stating that a circular approach to construction can:
- create new opportunities for business
- support domestic job creation in repair, reuse and remanufacturing
- support the development of better markets for reused materials
- improve economic resilience against future economic shocks
‘Important opportunity for Scotland’
The other European locations to pilot a Circular Construction Hub are Munich, Lisbon and Denmark. It’s part of Circular Construction Finance (CirCoFin), an initiative funded by the European Union that aims to make reusing construction materials the norm.
Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Developing a workable model for a Circular Construction Hub is an important opportunity for Scotland to lead by example and build on the success of our existing network of smaller community and commercial hubs across the country.
“It has enormous potential to help us forefront reuse as a convenient and aspirational option for businesses and simultaneously generate promising opportunities for sustainable investment in Scotland.”
Acting net zero secretary, Gillian Martin, said: “There are huge opportunities in having an economy which makes reuse and recycling the default choice. We have already seen businesses creating jobs by turning what we might otherwise throw away into valuable new products and services.
“This Circular Construction Hub pilot helps to progress actions from our 2030 Route Map – by helping to tackle construction waste, which accounts for up to 50% of all waste in Scotland.
“It will also secure supplies of critical construction materials and help construction businesses save money by keeping construction materials in use for longer.”
The EU-funded project will run to December 2027, with Zero Waste Scotland undertaking feasibility studies and sector engagement before developing a workable model.
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