Towards circular remodelling in the retail sector : A research into the implementation of building passports to improve the circularity of stores

With the current linear economy, large quantities of raw materials are lost in the phase between delving and disposal of the final product. To save material resources, the economic model needs to be changed to a circular economy. The circular economy is focusing on a way to minimalize the pressure on the ecological system by excluding the use of non-renewable materials, eliminating the use of toxic substances, and optimizing resource yields by circulating products, components, and materials in use at the highest possible levels at all times. In the retail sector companies have a large building portfolio. The sector is starting to realize that the implementation of circular buildings with circular inventory is one of the key aspects with great future potential. To maintain the value of products, it is important to obtain detailed knowledge about the material composition of stores. In this research, limitations are addressed for sharing material data for suppliers to the end-user. Literature research is conducted on what building and material passports mean for the circular economy in the retail sector.
A Building passport and three different standard material passports are developed and validated with a case study at a store in the Netherlands. To investigate possible barriers to the implementation of the building passport, qualitative research is conducted among three main suppliers of building elements. This research brings the retail sector one step further on the road to becoming 100% circular. Recommendations based on future research are made to further improve the flow of material information in the retail sector.