Legislative provisions for circular economy implementation in the construction industry within the Sri Lankan jurisdiction

Abstract

The Construction Industry (CI) is a significant contributor to waste generation and environmental degradation. The Circular Economy (CE) concept has emerged as a promising approach to improve resource efficiency and minimising waste within CI. However, the lack of adequate legislative support remains a key barrier to implementation of CE particularly in developing countries including Sri Lanka. Despite growing interest in CE adoption, limited research has examined the extent to which existing legislative provisions facilitate the implementation within the Sri Lankan CI. This research aims to investigate the adaptability of existing legislative provisions relevant to CE implementation in the Sri Lankan CI. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, comprising a document review and semi-structured interviews with experts. A documentary review revealed seven legislative-related CE practices in the Sri Lankan jurisdiction. The findings reveal that while existing legislation provides several indirect enablers for CE implementation, the overall regulatory framework remains fragmented and lacks dedicated provisions to effectively support circular construction practices. This study contributes to the literature by providing one of the first systematic assessments of legislative provisions relevant to CE implementation within the Sri Lankan construction industry. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to strengthen the regulatory framework for a transition towards a circular built environment.