Enablers and Barriers to Reuse in the Construction Industry : A Thematic Literature Review Supported by Case Studies

The construction industry consumes a significant share of global resources and generates substantial amounts of waste. Traditional linear construction practices contribute to excessive material use and significant environmental impacts. In response, circular economy strategies—particularly the reuse of building materials—have gained increasing attention as a means of reducing waste generation, lowering embodied carbon emissions, and extending the life cycle of building components. Material reuse involves the recovery and direct application of structural and non-structural elements, such as steel, timber, bricks, and façade components, in new construction projects without substantial reprocessing. Despite its potential, the implementation of material reuse faces several challenges, including regulatory uncertainty, technical constraints, limited professional expertise, cultural resistance, and insufficient digital systems for material traceability. This study systematically examines the key enablers and barriers to material reuse by organizing them into five thematic categories: Social and Cultural, Legal and Policy, Technical and Material, Skills and Competence, and Information and Digital Solutions. The empirical analysis is based on a comparative study of three Nordic construction projects that demonstrate innovative reuse strategies. The findings identify practical approaches to overcoming barriers, including Design for Disassembly, rigorous material verification, collaborative project management, and strategic early-stage planning. Economic and site-related conditions are identified as crosscutting factors influencing implementation outcomes. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of the conditions that enable or constrain material reuse in construction and offers guidance for stakeholders seeking to advance circular construction practices. The results emphasize the importance of coordinated policy frameworks, design integration, professional competence, and digital infrastructure for effectively and sustainably operationalizing reuse strategies.