How Dynamic Material Passports Could Change Construction in Canada

Construction in Canada is growing fast, and regions like Halton feel the pressure more than most. More people means more homes, more offices, and more demand for materials. The problem is that traditional construction still follows a simple path. Extract, build, demolish, discard. It works in the short term, but it creates a massive volume of waste and uses an incredible amount of natural resources.

A different approach is starting to gain attention. Dynamic Material Passports, or DMPs, offer a way to track building materials so they can be reused instead of thrown out. The idea sounds futuristic, but it is actually quite practical. If adopted at scale, DMPs could help municipalities cut emissions, protect resources, and prepare for a more circular construction system.

Check out the in-depth article Promoting Circular Economy: Development and Implementation of Dynamic Material Passports.

What a Dynamic Material Passport (DMP) Really Does

A DMP combines 2 concepts that already exist.

• A digital twin, a virtual copy of a real building that updates as the building changes.

  
  

• A material passport, a detailed list of the components inside that building, along with information about their condition and reuse potential.

  
  

Put them together, and you get a system that shows exactly what materials are available, where they are located, and how they can be reused. This matters because construction accounts for nearly 40% of global resource use and roughly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. Even small improvements in reuse can add up quickly.

Why Regions Like Halton Need This

Halton is one of Canada’s fastest-growing regions, and with growth comes more demolition. Unfortunately, many of the materials pulled from buildings are still going straight to landfills or being shipped out of the province. That adds costs and emissions, and it wastes valuable resources.

A shift toward intentional deconstruction is possible. It also comes with benefits.

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions

  
  

• Reduced pressure on landfills

  
  

• More local jobs connected to sorting, processing, and reuse

  
  

• Greater supply of affordable reclaimed materials

  
  

Building this system will take coordination, but the foundation is doable with today’s technology.

Policy Options That Could Make It Happen

To bring DMPs into everyday construction, municipalities can take a few practical steps.

• Start with municipal buildings. Using DMPs during renovations or demolitions helps create a local model that private builders can follow.

  
  

• Support a regional materials platform. An online marketplace for reclaimed components would help contractors find what they need and keep materials circulating locally.

  
  

• Offer incentives. Tax credits, grants, or faster permitting could encourage private developers to invest in DMPs before provincial rules eventually catch up.

  
  

• Build partnerships. Close collaboration between demolition firms, architects, engineers, and builders ensures that reusable materials are handled carefully and safely.

  
  

A Path Toward a Circular Future

If Halton and other Canadian regions decide to implement DMPs now, they can position themselves ahead of an inevitable shift. The construction sector cannot continue operating in a straight line from extraction to disposal. With smarter tracking, better planning, and the right policies, materials can cycle through multiple life stages, significantly reducing the industry’s environmental impact.

DMPs won’t solve every challenge, but they offer a clear and concrete step toward building a more sustainable future.

Lark Scientific’s Role

Lark Scientific supported this research as part of its collaboration with the University of Waterloo’s EWEAL program, providing technical expertise and resources to help bridge academic insights with practical municipal applications. By contributing to evidence-based environmental solutions like green roof retrofits, Lark Scientific is helping accelerate climate adaptation strategies in communities across Canada.