Harnessing Secondary Resources for Sustainable and Circular Practices in the Construction Sector

The construction sector is heading towards more sustainable practices by focusing on the utilization of secondary materials previously considered waste. Among these materials, cellulose and mining and metallurgy slags are particularly significant due to their prevalence and the volume of waste they represent. These materials are generated in vast quantities globally, posing environmental challenges but also presenting substantial opportunities for reuse in construction, thereby reducing landfill use and promoting resource efficiency. Additionally, the reuse of cellulose and slag has a substantial environmental impact. Transforming them into valuable construction resources can significantly reduce the environmental footprint associated with extracting and processing new raw materials. This reuse not only mitigates waste but also aligns with global sustainability goals by lowering emissions and reducing resource depletion. The growing use of cellulose in products like insulation and fiberboards, and the incorporation of slags into concrete and road materials, underscores the feasibility of these practices. Despite these promising developments, challenges such as economic feasibility, technological limitations, and regulatory issues continue to limit their full potential. This review explores these challenges and provides an in-depth look at the innovations and strategies needed to overcome them, setting a path for a sustainable and circular construction industry.