Aligning Digitalization and Circular Economy Policies Towards a Zero-Waste Construction Sector: A Comparative Analysis of the EU, UK, and China

Abstract

The construction sector accounts for over 30% of global material extraction and up to 40% of solid waste, making Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) a major sustainability challenge. This study applies the Digital Circularity Alignment Model (DCAM), supported by evidence from the RECONMATIC project, to compare policy and technological transition pathways toward circular construction in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and China. The analysis examines interactions between regulatory instruments and digital infrastructures, including Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Product Passports. Results reveal a global shift toward mandatory lifecycle transparency, where digital tools function as compliance infrastructures. Crucially, the comparative review identifies distinct governance drivers: EU supranational regulation, UK procurement-driven frameworks, and Chinese state-led macroeconomic planning. Despite these differences in governance approaches, progress remains constrained by fragmented data ecosystems, limited interoperability, and uneven institutional capacity. The findings show that the principal barrier to scaling circularity is not technological availability but the misalignment between policy frameworks, data standards, and implementation mechanisms. Achieving a zero-waste construction sector by 2050 therefore requires interoperable data ecosystems and stronger policy–technology alignment.