Inverse distribution system of construction for closed-loop construction system

In looking toward a future closed-loop social system, it is very important to look into reform of the production system used by the construction industry, which uses 46% of all industrial resources and discharges 21% of all waste. One crucial aspect of such reform is the development of techniques for the re-commercialization of waste as part of a closed-loop construction system. To this end, various recycling technologies have been developed and actual facilities have been built for by-product recycling and processing. In spite of these efforts, however, the recycling performance of the construction industry remains remarkably poor; it is measured at 41% compared with 83% for other industries. Various reasons for this poor performance have been clarified by past research. The main factor inhibiting the adoption of a closed-loop social system in construction is the lack of a suitable waste distribution system. There is no mechanism in place for supplying waste of stable quality in consistent quantities to the recycling facilities. Against this background, the management of such facilities remains in the experimental realm. The recycled materials and goods produced by the facilities rank as expensive or low in quality, so they lack market competitiveness. This is considered the biggest hindrance to market expansion and acceptance. If we are to achieve improved distribution of waste to these facilities, we need to develop a reverse logistics system supporting an inverse wholesale business. If formation of the future closed-loop social system is proved, the capital spending of companies will respond favorably to inverse industries will be raised. With the aim of working toward research on such a system and an actual proof-of-concept experiment, a non-allied joint research consortium bringing together companies and enterprises of many sizes was organized by the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at Waseda University. Details of empirical studies proposed by this consortium are given below. 1) Evaluation of the conditions in which an inverse distribution system must operate by modeling the physical distribution aspects of the inverse wholesales business and commercial transactions. 2) A reverse distribution experiment deployed over two or more different industries within the construction field and involving two or more companies 3) Determining measures to encourage the inverse wholesale business and the inverse distribution system as a new industry These research aims have been widely disseminated with the aim of beginning the formation of an inverse industry