Driving Sustainability: Circular Economy in Irish Construction

At Varming Consulting Engineers, sustainability shapes every aspect of our M&E engineering work. As consulting engineers specialising in building design, we actively support the circular economy in Irish construction to reduce environmental impact, preserve natural resources, and deliver lasting value. This shift from linear to circular thinking continues to transform the built environment across Ireland, and we are proud to be part of that change.

Circular Thinking in Policy and Practice

Traditional construction followed a linear model: extract, use, and discard. However, this approach wastes valuable materials and energy. In contrast, the circular economy in Irish construction prioritises reuse, recycling, and retention, helping reduce material consumption and carbon emissions.

The European Green Deal (2019) and Circular Economy Action Plan (2020) identify construction and demolition waste as a key priority, given it represents nearly 40% of EU waste. These policies encourage sustainable design and better material management across the sector.

Circular Economy in Action: Dublin Airport Runway Redevelopment

The 2020 runway taxiway redevelopment at Dublin Airport offers a strong example of circular principles in practice. Irish waste firm IMS recovered 3,000 tonnes of concrete during the project. They processed the material into Greenstone, a recycled aggregate certified by the NSAI.

The project team used Greenstone, along with other recycled aggregates, to supply 7,000 tonnes of sub-base for the airport’s new North Runway. A third-party lifecycle assessment reported that Greenstone’s carbon footprint reached just 5% of that of virgin aggregate. This significant reduction came from minimising extraction and transporting materials locally.

Integrating Circularity into M&E Engineering

At Varming, we embed circular economy thinking directly into our M&E design strategies. Modular HVAC systems are a core part of our specification approach, enabling easy maintenance, upgrades, and eventual disassembly to extend service life. In addition, we prioritise materials with a low environmental footprint, such as recycled copper and sustainable insulation options.

All systems are designed to align with NZEB standards, and we collaborate closely with clients, architects, and contractors to ensure compliance with BREEAM certification and national sustainability requirements. This integrated approach ensures that each M&E system delivers performance, efficiency, and environmental responsibility across the entire building life cycle.

Leading Ireland’s Low-Carbon Future

Varming Consulting Engineers continues to lead the way in applying circular economy principles to M&E engineering. Through our expertise and sustainable approach, we help shape a low-carbon, resource-efficient future for Ireland’s construction sector.

Discover how our M&E solutions can support your sustainability goals. Visit www.varming.ie or call 01 4872300.