If our economy and social fabric are to prosper and survive, new economic concepts and their practical methodology need to be devised

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Canada’s manufacturing sector is coming full circle and thinking differently about the environmental impact of materials within its industries. Looking for ways to change industries’ take-make-waste approach to a fuller circular economy, one where there is consideration of building materials beyond their end of life. Designing becomes like a biological process, with a more regenerative life cycle introducing natural, renewable products that have a more enduring sustainable design.

What is a circular economy? Presently, and in the past design, manufacturing often discarded materials due to their age or condition. Within a circular economy model these items are revitalized, recycled and reused, repurposed for similar or new uses, keeping them from the landfill. Integrating these items will save energy; less energy is used or lost through the process.

What are the inputs and outputs of this economy? Well let’s look at construction as a model example. Building or building a new or existing home, the manufacturers can give old items such as old trusses, barn boards and antique materials new purpose into new designs and manufacturing processes. Products and assets last longer, are more durable and repairable. The full life cycle of items needs to be considered, giving these materials back to the supply chain for secondary or tertiary use.

If applied to build environmental sectors, this economy can cut waste, recapture lost value of items, and realize new economic, social and environmental benefits. Manufacturers look for circular inputs with lower ecological impacts, such as renewable materials.

Within the millwork industry: wood, bamboo, hemp, straw, and other items are naturally renewable, as are most metals and some plastics. Renewing products gives us the opportunity to replace outputs associated with more energy-intensive load bearing materials. Manufacturing facilities can better use their recourse and reduce their deliveries, decreasing overall vehicle emissions. Scraps can be repurposed or used as bioenergy.

If our economy and social fabric are to prosper and survive, new economic concepts and their practical methodology need to be devised.  Considering the embodied energy represented by construction, manufacturing and demolition waste and the implications of continual materials disposal, new concepts of renewable, repurposed products make sense moving towards a low-carbon future.