Integrating Lean Construction and Circular Economy to Minimize Waste in Infrastructure Projects: A Strategic Framework Review
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The infrastructure construction sector is globally identified as a major contributor to solid waste, often driven by process inefficiencies and linear material management. This research aims to propose an integrated framework combining Lean Construction (LC) and Circular Economy (CE) principles as a holistic solution for waste reduction. Utilizing a systematic literature review and qualitative content analysis, this study evaluates how Lean tools such as the Last Planner System (LPS) and Just-in-Time (JIT) can synergize with CE principles like Design for Disassembly (DfD) and material recovery. The analysis reveals that LC-CE integration not only minimizes physical site waste through digital accuracy (BIM) but also reduces often-overlooked process wastes. The proposed framework provides a strategic roadmap for engineering practitioners to transition from the "take-make-dispose" model toward a more sustainable closed-loop material cycle.
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