Circular Economy Potential of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Sustainable Construction

• Author(s): Akhigbe Joseph Aigboka; Lawal Rodiat Ifedolapo; Dada Ibukunoluwa Joseph; Azeez Adedeji H.; Ajayi Timilehin A.; Okezie Onwuka Ugochukwu.; Silvanus Chike Tumi; Odupitan Boluwatito Kristana; Fajinmolu Aminat Adedamola; Izokhae O. Benedict; Oamen Anthony; Obafemi A. Ibitoye
• Paper ID: 1719576
• Page: 826-833
• Published Date: 08-07-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 10 Issue 1 July-2026
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719576

Abstract

As the demand for sustainable construction grows, innovative building technologies that reduce resource consumption, environmental degradation, and promote circular economy are being sought. The Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block (ISSB) technology has proven to be a viable alternative to traditional masonry construction systems due to its use of locally sourced materials, cement reduction, minimisation of construction waste and embodied carbon. Such benefits, however, have yet to be substantiated with empirical data on the impact of ISSB technology on circular economy in the construction sector, in which its uptake is still relatively low in developing countries. This study thus investigated the potential of circular economy in sustainable construction through Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block technology, studying the environmental, economic and resource efficiency aspect, and the challenges that impact the implementation of the technology. A descriptive mixed-method research design was used and data were gathered from construction professionals using structured questionnaires, interviews, observations, and document review. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. It was found that ISSB technology can lead to significant improvements in resource efficiency by using local materials, minimize construction waste, keep the amount of cement used down as well as carbon emissions and increase the cost effective and environmental-friendly construction. The major constraints to its wide-spread use identified in the study were inadequate public awareness, inadequate technical skills, limited government support and preference for traditional building materials. Based on this study, it is recommended that more policies should be encouraged to support the implementation of ISSB technology in the construction industry, professional capacity building, public awareness and investments in sustainable building technology should be supported to increase the adoption of ISSB technology and to contribute to long term environmental sustainability in the construction industry.

Keywords

Circular Economy, Interlocking Stabilised Soil Block (ISSB), Sustainable Construction, Resource Efficiency, Construction Waste, Green Building, Environmental Sustainability, Low Carbon Construction.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Akhigbe Joseph Aigboka, Lawal Rodiat Ifedolapo; Dada Ibukunoluwa Joseph, Azeez Adedeji H.; Ajayi Timilehin A.; Okezie Onwuka Ugochukwu., Silvanus Chike Tumi; Odupitan Boluwatito Kristana; Fajinmolu Aminat Adedamola, Izokhae O. Benedict; Oamen Anthony; Obafemi A. Ibitoye "Circular Economy Potential of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Sustainable Construction" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 10 Issue 1 2026 Page 826-833 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719576

IEEE:
Akhigbe Joseph Aigboka, Lawal Rodiat Ifedolapo; Dada Ibukunoluwa Joseph, Azeez Adedeji H.; Ajayi Timilehin A.; Okezie Onwuka Ugochukwu., Silvanus Chike Tumi; Odupitan Boluwatito Kristana; Fajinmolu Aminat Adedamola, Izokhae O. Benedict; Oamen Anthony; Obafemi A. Ibitoye "Circular Economy Potential of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Sustainable Construction" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719576

APA:
Akhigbe Joseph Aigboka, Lawal Rodiat Ifedolapo; Dada Ibukunoluwa Joseph, Azeez Adedeji H.; Ajayi Timilehin A.; Okezie Onwuka Ugochukwu., Silvanus Chike Tumi; Odupitan Boluwatito Kristana; Fajinmolu Aminat Adedamola, Izokhae O. Benedict; Oamen Anthony; Obafemi A. Ibitoye (2026). Circular Economy Potential of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Sustainable Construction. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 10(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719576

MLA:
Akhigbe Joseph Aigboka, Lawal Rodiat Ifedolapo; Dada Ibukunoluwa Joseph, Azeez Adedeji H.; Ajayi Timilehin A.; Okezie Onwuka Ugochukwu., Silvanus Chike Tumi; Odupitan Boluwatito Kristana; Fajinmolu Aminat Adedamola, Izokhae O. Benedict; Oamen Anthony; Obafemi A. Ibitoye "Circular Economy Potential of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Sustainable Construction" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719576

BibTeX

@article{1719576,
author = {Akhigbe Joseph Aigboka, Lawal Rodiat Ifedolapo; Dada Ibukunoluwa Joseph, Azeez Adedeji H.; Ajayi Timilehin A.; Okezie Onwuka Ugochukwu., Silvanus Chike Tumi; Odupitan Boluwatito Kristana; Fajinmolu Aminat Adedamola, Izokhae O. Benedict; Oamen Anthony; Obafemi A. Ibitoye},
title = {Circular Economy Potential of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block Technology in Sustainable Construction},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {826-833},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719576.pdf},
abstract = {As the demand for sustainable construction grows, innovative building technologies that reduce resource consumption, environmental degradation, and promote circular economy are being sought. The Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block (ISSB) technology has proven to be a viable alternative to traditional masonry construction systems due to its use of locally sourced materials, cement reduction, minimisation of construction waste and embodied carbon. Such benefits, however, have yet to be substantiated with empirical data on the impact of ISSB technology on circular economy in the construction sector, in which its uptake is still relatively low in developing countries. This study thus investigated the potential of circular economy in sustainable construction through Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block technology, studying the environmental, economic and resource efficiency aspect, and the challenges that impact the implementation of the technology. A descriptive mixed-method research design was used and data were gathered from construction professionals using structured questionnaires, interviews, observations, and document review. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. It was found that ISSB technology can lead to significant improvements in resource efficiency by using local materials, minimize construction waste, keep the amount of cement used down as well as carbon emissions and increase the cost effective and environmental-friendly construction. The major constraints to its wide-spread use identified in the study were inadequate public awareness, inadequate technical skills, limited government support and preference for traditional building materials. Based on this study, it is recommended that more policies should be encouraged to support the implementation of ISSB technology in the construction industry, professional capacity building, public awareness and investments in sustainable building technology should be supported to increase the adoption of ISSB technology and to contribute to long term environmental sustainability in the construction industry.},
keywords = {Circular Economy, Interlocking Stabilised Soil Block (ISSB), Sustainable Construction, Resource Efficiency, Construction Waste, Green Building, Environmental Sustainability, Low Carbon Construction.},
month = {July}
}