The circu-lean revolution: a review of the synergies between lean and the circular economy

Johns, Nathan G.O. and Talebi, Saeed and Shelbourn, Mark and Roberts, Chris and Kagioglou, Mike (2023) The circu-lean revolution: a review of the synergies between lean and the circular economy. In: 31st annual conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, 26th June - 2nd July 2023, Lille, France.

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Abstract

Due to the impacts of industrialisation on the planet’s environmental systems, industrial practice has had to evolve. Sustainable development goals have been set by the United Nations to limit industrial impacts on the environment. At the core of the development goals are the efficient use of materials and the reduction of waste. Two common production philosophies are becoming prevalent within the literature as a solution to consumption and waste within the construction industry, Lean and the Circular Economy (CE). Both provide aspects of green supply chain management that are required to meet the goals set by governments. There are clear synergies between the two philosophies though there are few investigations into their likeness within the literature. This paper aims to further investigate the synergies between Lean and the CE within the construction industry to develop the extant body of knowledge. The findings of the research identified that the majority of interactions between the concepts were positive although not entirely explored in construction. The core similarities surround waste reduction whereas the key differences are Lean’s human management and the CE’s closed-loop value retention. Therefore, it is suggested that a complimentary mixed Circu-Lean philosophy will be the future of production and construction.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Identification Number:	10.24928/2023/0242
Dates:	Date Event 1 June 2023 Accepted 4 July 2023 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Lean Philosophy, Circular Economy, Circu-Lean, Construction, Built Environment
Subjects:	CAH10 - engineering and technology > CAH10-01 - engineering > CAH10-01-01 - engineering (non-specific)
Divisions:	Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > College of Built Environment
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2023 10:41
Last Modified:	20 Jun 2024 11:45
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/14533

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