Facts & Stats
The construction sector is one of the most resource-intensive industries in the world, responsible for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions and more than half of all raw material extraction and consumption.
In Canada alone, the sector produces over four million tonnes of construction waste each year—enough to fill roughly 640 Olympic swimming pools—with only 16% of that waste diverted from landfills, despite an estimated 85% diversion potential..
Construction also generates nearl one-third of all solid waste in Canada, which highlights the environmental burden and the missed economic opportunities of the current linear “take-make-dispose” model.
A shift toward a circular economy in Canada’s construction and real estate sector could generate multiple benefits, including reducing waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; improving the resiliency of supply chains; creating a new economic, investment, and employment opportunities; enhancing natural ecosystems and urban green spaces; and providing greater equity and related social benefits according to Delphi Group.
Recycling and reusing materials such as wood steel, drywall, and concrete aggregates, the sector can significantly reduce its environmental footprint while also driving innovation and growth.
Studies show that applying circular economy strategies could not only cut waste and carbon emissions but also strengthen supply chain resilience, create jobs, and expand green spaces for healthier communities. With Canada currently using just 6% recycled materials in construction, scaling up circular practices represents both a sustainability imperative and a massive opportunity for economic and social benefit.