Convergence of circular economy strategies for sustainable timber usage in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

The construction industry is a major consumer of natural resources, creating increasing pressure for sustainable material utilisation. Timber, as a renewable construction material with favourable environmental characteristics, offers significant potential to support circular economy practices within the built environment. However, the effective application of circular economy strategies for timber utilisation remains limited in many developing construction contexts, specifically in Sri Lanka. This study investigates how circular economy strategies can be converged to enhance sustainable timber usage in the Sri Lankan construction industry. A qualitative research approach was adopted, using semi-structured expert interviews with 12 professionals with expertise in the research area. The collected data were analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify circular economy strategies relevant to sustainable timber utilisation. The analysis identified thirteen circular economy strategies that can support sustainable timber usage across the timber lifecycle. These include reclaimed timber utilisation, design for disassembly, prefabricated construction, lifecycle assessment-based design, materials passports and digital traceability, industrial symbiosis, modular thinking, circular public procurement, stakeholder education, commercial plantation regeneration, preservation and treatment for prolonged use, and engineered timber promotion. The findings indicate that the convergence of these strategies can improve timber lifecycle performance, enhance resource efficiency, and strengthen sustainable timber supply systems. Effective implementation requires alignment between design practices, supply chain transparency, industry awareness, and supportive policy mechanisms. The study contributes to circular construction research and provides practical insights to advance sustainable timber utilisation in the Sri Lankan construction industry.