The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has unveiled its Practical Guide to Circular Procurement: For New Buildings and Major Refurbishments at the Transform 2025 conference in Sydney.
Developed in collaboration with professional services firm GHD, the guide provides a comprehensive roadmap for embedding circular economy principles into procurement practices across the building lifecycle.
The circular economy model emphasises closed-loop systems where materials are reused and retained at their highest value, minimising waste and environmental impact.
This approach is particularly critical in the construction sector, which globally accounts for 40-50 per cent of raw material usage, with only 30 per cent currently being recycled.
The guide, developed with input from funding partners, including the governments of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), offers practical tools for integrating circularity into building projects.
Key elements include:
- Stage-by-stage procurement strategies covering project inception, design, construction, and operation.
- Guidance for tender documentation, including questions to evaluate consultants and contractors.
- Key performance indicators to track circular outcomes throughout a building’s lifecycle.
- Case studies, such as the Kennett Material Bank initiative — which uses building information modelling (BIM) to catalogue high-value materials for reuse.
Davina Rooney, CEO of GBCA, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating: “Shifting to a circular economy is one of the biggest opportunities we have to cut waste, reduce emissions, and build a more resilient future.
“This guide equips industry with practical tools to turn ambition into action.”
Huia Adkins, Sustainability Leader at GHD, added: “The guide provides a structured framework that enables businesses to confidently invest in circular solutions, unlocking long-term environmental and economic benefits.”
One notable example highlighted in the guide is the Kennett Material Bank, developed by Kennett Builders in partnership with the University of Adelaide and sustainability consultancy dsquared.
This initiative tracks materials like steel frames and solar panels across residential projects using BIM technology.
By enabling reuse at a building’s end-of-life stage, it significantly reduces costs and environmental impact.
At Uniting on Second Bowden in South Australia, this approach has already demonstrated success.
Precast panels valued at $3.7 million, 10 per cent of the project’s total cost, were designed for disassembly and reuse.
The launch of this guide aligns with Australia’s broader sustainability goals, including reducing embodied carbon and achieving net-zero targets.
CEFC Head of Property, Michael Di Russo, highlighted its potential, stating: “By rethinking material selection and sourcing, we can significantly cut waste and emissions while enhancing building resilience.”
The Practical Guide to Circular Procurement is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming Australia’s construction industry by providing actionable strategies that align with Green Star standards and global best practices.
