State of Play for Circular Built Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Achieving effective construction and demolition waste, CDW, management and implementing a plan for circular economy requires the involvement of universities, professionals, technicians, private companies and syndicates within the construction industry, all to be coordinated by government. Effective CDW management can lower construction costs, and the money saved can be invested into enhancing the climatic comfort and energy efficiency of buildings. CDW management must therefore be included in the full lifecycle of the building or structure, from planning to final disposal. Governments must create the conditions and incentives at all levels, from local government to national authorities, to ensure compliance with international regulations, via an efficient communication and coordination strategy. CDW management that includes economic incentives remains a distant goal for most countries in the LAC region. As with renewable energy, the circular economy and total waste management is are in their infancy in the LAC region.