Overview
This report focuses on the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD), where construction activity reflects broader economic transitions, a legacy of resource-based industries, and shifting population trends. The assessment aims to better understand the region’s construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) sector; identify opportunities to advance circular economy practices; and assess regional gaps that could be addressed through the development of circular economy hubs.
Scope and Structure
The primary goal of this Regional Market Assessment is to inform the development of a regional circular economy hub in the ACRD. Such a model has the potential to revitalize local economies by creating high-quality skilled jobs, supporting value-added production, repurposing underutilized infrastructure, fostering technical innovation, and strengthening local supply chains. The assessment evaluated current and future market capacity for the reuse, reprocessing, and recycling of CRD materials, and was designed to reflect the region’s size, economic context, and infrastructure realities, drawing on targeted local insights to inform businesses, governments, and supporting organizations.
Study activities included:
- Conducting targeted interviews with local construction businesses, government representatives, reuse organizations, social enterprises, and industry associations.
- Hosting a community workshop to capture perspectives of local contributors and identify barriers and opportunities.
- Analyzing data on construction trends, existing housing stock, renovations and demolitions.
- Documenting existing material management infrastructure and processing capacity.
- Reviewing existing disposal, reuse, and recycling practices.
- Estimating current volumes and potential impacts of CRD waste by material type (e.g., wood, concrete, asphalt shingles, drywall) and building sector (residential, industrial, commercial, institutional).
- Estimating the economic value and untapped potential of diverting CRD waste, and potential beneficial uses for each material type.