EFFC/DFI Circular Economy Guide-PDF

PDF
Pdf Summary
The EFFC/DFI Sustainability Guide: Circular Economy (2024) explains how geotechnical companies can support UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production. It focuses primarily on reducing waste and circulating materials and products at their highest value, while also recognising the importance of regenerating nature.<br /><br />A circular economy reduces reliance on virgin raw materials, waste sent to landfill and unnecessary replacement of products. For geotechnical work, this means prioritising resource reduction and foundation reuse, followed by reuse, repair, refurbishment and repurposing; recycling and responsible disposal are lower priorities. Decisions should consider wider impacts such as carbon emissions, energy use, pollution, biodiversity and water.<br /><br />Growing client expectations, legislation, reporting obligations, resource and supply-chain risks, and potential cost and efficiency savings all make circularity increasingly important. The guide offers practical actions across design, procurement, sites, waste management, equipment, offices and maintenance yards. Examples include reusing excavated soils and temporary works, using suitable secondary materials, segregating waste, maintaining and refurbishing equipment, and improving material procurement. Accurate, accessible records of foundation design, construction and performance are especially important to enable future reuse.<br /><br />The guide recommends a continuous-improvement process: measure current performance, engage workers and suppliers, assess and prioritise opportunities, implement changes, and review results. Companies can track raw and secondary material use, waste generated and diverted from landfill, and the potential for foundation reuse. Existing schemes—including BREEAM, LEED, ISO 14001, EMAS, GRI and CSRD reporting—include relevant circularity measures, though none alone guarantees a fully circular approach.<br /><br />Overall, the guide presents circularity as a shared responsibility of contractors, designers, clients and supply chains, and provides practical recommendations rather than mandatory standards.
Keywords
circular economy
sustainability guide
geotechnical companies
resource reduction
foundation reuse
waste management
secondary materials
responsible consumption
UN SDG 12
continuous improvement