Circular economy policies and the use of recycled materials in the Australian built environment

The built environment sector is a major contributor to global waste generation, prompting urgent calls for the sector's transition towards a circular economy (CE). Utilising products with recycled content (PwRC) in construction activities is widely recognised as an effective strategy to support this transition. The opimal utilsiation of these resources warrants supportive policies. There is a limited understanding of how the key stakeholders in the sector perceive these policies. This study investigates the perceptions of key stakeholders regarding the relevance, effectiveness, and limitations of 17 CE policies influencing the uptake of PwRC in Australia. The study employed a semi-structured survey and captured 62 responses representing various stakeholders on 17 CE policies. The findings reveal varying levels of familiarity with the CE policies studied. Furthermore, most survey respondents view current policy frameworks as insufficient in promoting the use of recycled content in construction, underscoring gaps in perceived CE policy effectiveness, particularly in national versus state-level prioritisation. Key policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility, Sustainable Procurement and Carbon Pricing Scheme were identified as having the most significant positive impacts for PwRC optimal uptake in construction projects. The study provides actionable insights for policymakers to clarify and standardise specific areas, enhancing stakeholders' confidence and engagement in circular practices and PwRC utilisation. Furthermore, it highlights the need for integrated policy approaches that address unintended consequences and foster a supportive policy mix for circular practices in the sector.