Circularity in Facility Management: Conceptualisation and Potential Areas for Circularity-Oriented Actions

Abstract

Although literature discussing materials circularity in the built environment sector is well-developed, we have a limited understanding of circularity in facility services because most of the literature often generalises building operations, ignoring circularity applications via service streams. Thus, owing to the service nature of facility management, facility service providers’ remit, and the building operation functions, this paper makes a first-order attempt to conceptualise circularity in the context of facility services and to identify areas corresponding to key facility functions and performance improvement criteria. Facility service is an important service stream for building operations, and it includes a range of functions ensuring better condition, quality, serviceability, and durability of building assets. Understanding the limited research undertaken to highlight circularity in facility services, this paper uses a literature review and qualitative content analysis to categorise three scopes (procurement, building use, and end of life) and the corresponding circularity-oriented action areas in facility service delivery. As key findings, subtle changes in the core facility function, such as in products’ purchase approach, delivery of ongoing maintenance and refurbishment of building assets, and end-of-life management, possess the potential to enable circularity. Thus, within the buildings’ operation realm, a dedicated service stream, such as the facility service, can contribute to realising circularity for facility service providers’ commercial clients.