Conducted through interviews with key stakeholders during May and July, the purpose of the survey was to establish current views of the value of the circular economy and its wider adoption in the built environment.

A key objective was to identify the motivations and barriers for the adoption of circular business models including how to create, deliver and capture value to companies.

It also looked to explore the state of industry readiness in light of impending policy, regulation and taxation change.

Significant findings included:

• 80% of participants said circular economy was part of their organisational strategy, but the majority did not have a circular implementation plan;
• 95% saw the need to change in circular economy project benefits being quantified;
• Only 25% had an ongoing programme with one or more suppliers using circular economy principles; with the majority agreeing their organisation needed to transition or transform around circular-informed business planning and value propositions.

Doug Morwood, founder of strategy, transformation and innovation platform business, Insight Futures, said: “With the countdown to COP26 Glasgow, the UN Climate Change Conference, having begun it has never been more important to gain a better understanding to help develop a circular economy strategy to support the sector.”

Andrew Jackson, commercial director, Shaw Contract EMEA, added: “As a supplier and manufacturer of flooring solutions, with a manufacturing base in Scotland, Shaw Contract supported this survey to gain a deeper understanding of how we can work together towards a circular economy, as stakeholders in the development of the built environment and the local economy.”

The “How might we de-risk the move to a circular economy for the built environment, in Scotland?” survey is available at shawcontract.com.