Table 3

Explanation of the proposed CE taxonomy using examples from the construction industry

TerminologyFinal definitionExamples
Example 1 materialExample 2 wasteExample 3 energyExample 4 emission
Circular economy strategyAn overall direction and plan for circular economy implementation in a particular entityIncorporating alternative material sources into new constructionEfficiently managing demolished materialsUsing renewable energy sourcesTracking the embodied carbon emission
Circular economy practiceAn activity that contributes to the implementation of a circular economy in a particular entityReusing materials in new construction activitiesIdentifying and recycling possible materialsUsing solar power for electricity generationUsing embodied carbon calculating techniques
Circular economy indexA quantified number that typically incorporates a combination of indicators to assess overall circular economy performance, facilitating comparisons over time and across different entitiesThe amount of reused material used out of the total weight/volume of the materialThe recyclability value of the materialThe amount of solar usage out of the total electricity consumptionThe number of projects that implemented embodied carbon calculating techniques out of the total projects completed per year
Circular economy indicatorA quantitative or qualitative factor that is used to measure different circularity aspects and, assess changes in circular economy implementationMaterialWasteEnergyEmission
Circular economy measureA method of assessing circularity at a more focused and granular levelAmount of reusable materialsRecyclability of the demolished materialAmount of solar-generated electricity consumptionDegree of using embodied carbon calculating technique for construction projects
Circular economy metricA unit that is used in circularity measurementPercentage/Mass/VolumePercentage/Mass/VolumePercentage/kWhPercentage/number

Source(s): Authors’ own work

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