Practical considerations of circular economy strategies in the residential sector in Australia using the ReSOLVE Framework

Abstract

The residential sector remains one of the highest greenhouse gas-emitting and resource-intensive sectors globally, including Australia. This arises from challenges in implementing a Circular Economy (CE) model, which optimises resource value by minimising waste and reducing the need for new materials. The fragmented focus by researchers, policymakers and the construction industry on individual life cycle stages, building layers, or technologies in CE strategies limits a holistic understanding of CE implementation. This study introduces a novel, comprehensive evaluation of CE strategies in Australia's residential sector by applying the ReSOLVE framework across seven building layers, addressing fragmentation in prior research by combining systematic and narrative literature reviews to explore theoretical and practical CE strategies. The systematic literature review identified 725 global studies, which, after screening, were narrowed to 68 and 37 publications were identified from the narrative review. The study highlights the significance of CE strategies, including design for deconstruction, reuse, digital tools, off-site construction, and stock management. However, broader adoption of existing strategies remains essential. Successful adoption requires policy alignment, CE incentives, stakeholder collaboration, sector-specific guidelines and behavioural changes. The findings highlight gaps in practical interventions, guiding policymakers while benefiting researchers and construction stakeholders. Future research should focus on reuse, policy interventions, and behavioural dynamics. Despite the focus on the Australian context, the implications are relevant globally.