Circular Economy in Chinese Heritage Conservation: Upcycling Waste Materials for Sustainable Restoration and Cultural Narrative Revitalization

Material depletion, environmental degradation, and cultural revitalization pose significant challenges to heritage conservation in China. Within the context of heritage restoration, the principles of the circular economy (CE)—including R1 (Reduce), R2 (Reuse), and R3 (Recycle)—can provide a structured framework for sustainable interventions. By prioritizing resource efficiency, minimizing waste generation, and repurposing materials, CE strategies support the preservation of cultural heritage while mitigating environmental impact. This study explores the role of waste material upcycling in sustainable heritage conservation (SHC) in tandem with the revitalization of cultural narratives. This study examines the core factors affecting sustainable restoration practice through the lens of the circular economy theory and sustainable heritage conservation theory. The research design adopts mixed methods whereby quantitative web surveys are conducted among practitioners of conservation and complemented with qualitative case studies from CE-based intervention restoration projects in China. The study identifies five independent variables—upcycling of waste materials, resource efficiency, stakeholder engagement, economic viability, and cultural narrative revitalization—with sustainability-driven innovation acting as a mediating factor. Preliminary findings indicate that upcycling enhances material longevity and minimizes restoration expenses while promoting social acceptance of circular practices through stakeholder engagement. Revitalizing cultural narratives enhances historical continuity while preserving intangible heritage. The results indicate that CE-based interventions positively influenced SHC, with sustainability-driven innovation as a mediator. With this, it was concluded that introducing circular economy principles in heritage conservation would promote environmental sustainability, economic viability, and culture-building resilience. Policy recommendations include incentivizing upcycling technologies, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and embedding CE principles in national heritage policies.