Synergy between blockchain and circular economy in improving construction waste management: a literature review

Abstract

The inverse relationship between the development of the construction sector and the preservation of the ecosphere is highly manifested by the excessive waste products resulting from the construction processes that are irrepressible by the existing waste management practices. Research has been conducted on utilising smart technologies such as blockchain technology and modern concepts such as the circular economy (CE) in enlightening waste management practices. Yet, the applicability of intervening the synergy of the two concepts of “blockchain-circular economy” is not adequately addressed in the existing literature from the perspective of effective construction waste management. Therefore, this study aimed at identifying the applicability of blockchain technology and circular economy in enhancing the effectiveness of construction waste management. Accordingly, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on the existing research on the enablers, barriers and strategies for the integration of the blockchain-circular economy, blockchain-waste management, and circular economy-waste management. The collected data were analysed using content analysis. The findings suggested that enablers such as supportive legislations and sustainability increments, barriers such as risks and lack of knowledge, and strategies such as introducing regulatory standards and adaption to technologies are common for the integration of the concepts. Accordingly, this study reveals the potential of assessing the practicability of integrating blockchain, circular economy and waste management in a common platform to establish resource optimisation in the construction sector.