Relation between construction company size and the use of recycled materials

For a circular economy approach in the construction sector, it is important to understand the value of using recycled materials in buildings and other constructions, reducing the extraction of natural resources, as well as the generation of construction and demolition waste. The role of construction companies is relevant in the sense that they are one of the main actors for this change. However, the differences within the sector, namely the size of the construction companies, can make it hard to implement, so it is essential to understand the factors influencing it. To this end, a structured questionnaire survey was submitted to Portuguese construction companies, dividing the sample of 652 answers into three groups (micro, small, and medium/large companies). Data treatment was carried out to determine whether there are significant statistical differences between groups regarding the use of recycled materials. Their use is carried out by most of the companies, in all groups, with the factors in favor related to the internal practices of the companies, and the against factors associated with market availability. For recycled aggregates, in particular, there is a weak self-evaluation of knowledge about these materials. Furthermore, there is a risk perception in terms of confidence in its use. These conclusions are important for the definition of differentiating strategies to promote and improve the use of recycled materials by construction companies. •Construction sector has different realities regarding the size of companies.•The use of recycled materials is differently perceived by micro and small companies.•Environmental knowledge gap about recycled materials is an important determinant.•Risk perception (confidence in their use and the opinion of customers) is relevant.•Strategies for the use of recycled materials must be adapted to the size of companies.