Transforming research for an eco-friendly tomorrow through circular economy: A comparison of two research institutions
The Green Construction Research and Training Centre (GCRTC), a dynamic hub at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus (UBCO), fosters innovation in green construction. Committed to training the next generation of engineers, researchers, and industry professionals in sustainable and circular economy principles, the GCRTC generates and expands knowledge in environmentally friendly construction practices. It maximizes material recovery and reuse, and has developed a lifecycle assessment (LCA) toolkit for quantifying carbon impacts across a building's lifecycle.
By converting waste materials like wood, concrete, and plastics into valuable new products, the GCRTC reduces landfill contributions and fosters new economic opportunities. It develops and promotes sustainable materials and technologies, such as recycled concrete aggregates, wood fly ash as cement replacement, and crumb rubber in concrete.
The GCRTC serves as a catalyst for promoting sustainable practices within the construction sector through multi-disciplinary research. It collaborates extensively with municipalities and provincial bodies to integrate sustainable practices into urban planning and infrastructure development.
The Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), a partner of the GCRTC, transforms the built environment with state-of-the-art materials and approaches. MMRI focuses on helping BC-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop and commercialize circular products, acting as a matchmaker and hub for collaborations.
MMRI's research portfolio extends from developing novel materials to meet sustainable development goals to non-invasive medical technologies. It integrates training and community outreach, enabling a continuous two-way flow of knowledge.
The MMRI, supported by the Accelerated Resource Economy Platform, helps small and medium-sized enterprises in British Columbia develop and commercialize resource economy products by converting waste into valuable resources. This platform is a collaboration between the institute, government, and local businesses, funded by PacifiCan through the Accelerating Circular Economy (ACE) platform.
The Wilden Living Lab at Kelowna, a full-scale net-zero energy research house, measures occupant behavior, fine-tunes control algorithms, and informs next-generation net-zero design guidelines. This facility complements the GCRTC's efforts in promoting a circular economy mindset, driving down embodied and operational carbon through innovative material substitutions and design strategies.
The GCRTC actively disseminates its research findings and best practices through various platforms, including peer-reviewed publications, industry workshops, and seminar series. This sharing of knowledge mobilizes technologies and processes developed in collaborative research settings, as MMRI supports and mentors student-led start-ups as the next-generation leaders.
In conclusion, the Green Construction Research and Training Centre, in collaboration with the Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute, leads the way in sustainable construction practices in British Columbia. Through innovative research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, these institutions drive the transition towards a circular economy, reducing carbon footprints, and fostering economic opportunities.
