(A05) Will it go round in circles: Creating best practices to create a fully circular economy

Currently, the building industry is responsible for 40% of material use by mass and 50% of waste by volume. We must adopt a more circular approach to the design and use of products because it is estimated that for the world to remain livable, the economy must go from 8.6% circular as it currently stands to at least 17% circular. This session will explore the critical intersection of the circular economy and zero waste principles in order to rapidly transition our economy from linear to circular at scale. Through the lens of LEED Version 5.0, we will delve into different frameworks and strategies being used by various industry stakeholders to create a more circular industry. Presenters for the session are representatives from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII), TRUE Certification, the design firm HOK and contractor STO Building Group. Through a combination of formal presentation and case studies, presenters will discuss the concept of a circular economy and the zero waste principles that form the bedrock of the circular design philosophy. Representing key stakeholders across the industry, they will discuss how implementing zero waste practices is a crucial part of reducing the impacts of the built environment and creating a healthy and thriving future. C2CPII and TRUE will discuss how their frameworks enable companies to put circular design principles into action. HOK and STO Building Group, who are both using zero waste strategies as a method to put circular design philosophies into practice in the field, will discuss their current initiatives. Each will outline successful strategies to incorporate these practices to reduce impacts while meeting the criteria of the LEED Version 5.0 credits. Attendees will leave the session with a working knowledge of the circular economy and strategies they can employ on their own projects.