Transition to circular economy in infrastructure construction

Abstract

The emergence of circular economy (CE) represents a significant shift from the traditional linear economic model that contributes to environmental degradation and global sustainability challenges. While CE principles are increasingly applied across many sectors, their adoption in construction, particularly infrastructure construction remain limited and insufficiently re-searched. It is also unclear how effectively circular practices reduce environmental impacts in this sector, and whether issues such as overconsumption are present. This thesis focuses on the Finnish infrastructure construction sector, while also referring on global literature and examples to contextualise the findings.

The research first examines the presence and nature of overconsumption in infrastructure projects through a comprehensive literature review. CE practices in Finland were then ana-lysed using literature review, case study analysis, and semi-structured interviews with experts in infrastructure construction and circular economy. Then, the barriers to CE adoption and potential indicators for measuring circularity were similarly investigated through combined literature and interview data analysis.

The results show that overconsumption in infrastructure projects manifests through multiple dimensions, including excessive material use, inefficient design choices, and lifecycle imbalances. However, Finnish professionals interviewed for this study did not perceive overconsumption as a major issue in Finland, citing strict budget constraints and resource-conscious planning. Regarding circular practices, the findings indicate that although Finland has strong national ambitions, current implementation is largely limited to the use of recycled aggregates, crushed concrete, low-carbon materials, and occasional structural reuse. Several barriers hin-der broader adoption, including regulatory uncertainty, financial constraints, limited knowledge, inconsistent data availability, and uneven material supply. Strategies identified to address these barriers include strengthening regulations, improving training, and reforming procurement practices.

The study also found that although numerous global circularity indicators exist, their use in Finland remains limited, and national metrices are still under development. Both literature and interviewees emphasised the importance of digitalising data collection, standardising definitions of circular practices, and adopting digital tools to support future transitions.

Overall, this thesis provides a clear overview of current CE practices in Finnish infrastructure construction, identifies key barriers, and highlights actions needed by policymakers and industry stakeholders to support a more effective transition toward circular infrastructure systems.