INVESTIGATING CLOSED-LOOP CONSTRUCTION AS A SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY FOR REDUCING AIR POLLUTION IN JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE
Keywords:
Closed-Loop, Construction, Strategy, Air, Pollution, ReductionAbstract
The construction industry remains one of the largest contributors to air pollution through emissions from heavy machinery, material production, transportation, and waste generation. Despite increasing advocacy for sustainable construction, the sector continues to operate largely under a linear take–make–dispose model that intensifies environmental degradation and resource depletion. This study investigates closed-loop construction as a sustainable strategy for reducing air pollution, drawing upon the Circular Economy, Industrial Ecology, and Sustainability theories. A descriptive survey design was employed, involving 127 professionals including architects, engineers, contractors, and environmental officers selected purposively from the construction industries in Jos South Local Government Area. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII). Findings revealed that emissions from construction machinery and vehicles are the most significant source of air pollution (RII = 0.46), followed by material transport and the use of hazardous chemicals. Linear construction practices were found to exacerbate pollution primarily through material production (RII = 0.46) and waste generation (RII = 0.42). In contrast, closed-loop construction demonstrated strong potential to reduce air pollutants by enhancing material efficiency (RII = 0.45), minimising waste (RII = 0.43), and reducing transportation emissions (RII = 0.42). The study concludes that integrating closed-loop strategies—such as recycling, reuse, and life-cycle design can significantly mitigate air pollution while improving environmental and economic performance. It recommends that governments and construction firms institutionalise circular construction principles, adopt cleaner technologies, and employ life-cycle assessment tools to guide sustainable project planning and emission management.
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