Blockchain's role in supporting circular supply chains in the built environment

The AEC sector is a significant component of the UK economy and is under enormous pressure to improve its environmental sustainability. Though significant progress has been achieved in reusing, remanufacturing, and recycling materials, using blockchain in the circular supply chain is still a relatively new idea and particularly challenging in the building industry. As a result, this study focuses on the importance of blockchain and circular economy in built-environment supply chains. We show the application method of utilising a blockchain-enabled digital platform and the idea of material passports to efficiently monitor materials and resources in the built environment. Based on the methodologies of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and Building Information Management (BIM), we suggest that blockchain can be used to track environmental performance (e.g. materials, energy, and carbon emissions) and value creation opportunities at each stage of the building life cycle.