Hierarchy + principles
EU Waste Framework Directive hierarchy applied to construction: 1. Prevent — design out waste; retain existing fabric. 2. Reuse — same material, same function (reclaimed brick into new wall; existing joists into new floor). 3. Repurpose — same material, different function (timber joists into joinery). 4. Recycle — break down to constituent (brick into hardcore; concrete crushed for sub-base). 5. Recover — energy from waste (timber to biomass). 6. Dispose — landfill (last resort). London Plan SI 7 requires Circular Economy Statement for referable applications + Major Application Schedule 1. Statement quantifies retention + recovery + diversion-from-landfill rates.
Design strategies
Design-for-Disassembly (DfD): use mechanical fixings (bolts, screws) over chemical (glue, mastic) so components separable at end-of-life. Avoid composite materials (laminated, bonded) that can't be separated for recycling. Specify modular dimensions (standard sheet sizes, stud spacings) for off-cut reuse. Mechanical jointed timber frame > glued. Bolted steel frame > welded. Dry-fix tile + slate > mortared. Lift-out kitchen units > built-in. Surface-mounted services > buried. Material passports document what's in the building + how to deconstruct — basis for future reuse markets. Adaptable layouts allow internal change without structural strip-out — long-life loose-fit space planning.
Practical application on London renovation
Strip-out: deconstruct rather than demolish; sort + segregate on site (brick → reclaim yard; timber → joinery or biomass; metal → scrap; glass → recycle). Skip waste segregation diversion target ≥75% from landfill (achievable with 4-bin sort: brick/hardcore, timber, metal, mixed-residual). Specification: reclaimed brick outer leaf; FSC structural timber; mechanical-fix flooring (T&G + clip not glue); demountable partition systems (stud + plasterboard with screws not glue). Material passport: list of products + suppliers + EPDs + spec sheets retained in Operations + Maintenance manual. Builderr standard practice on heritage projects + offer as upgrade on others.
