BIM-Based Tools for Managing Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW): A Scoping Review

Globally, the construction industry produces around 40% of all annual waste, making it a major contributor to environmental challenges within the built environment. While digital tools and circular economy practices have shown promise in reducing construction and demolition waste, most research focuses on developed countries. This paper seeks to understand the current state of digitalization in construction and demolition waste (CDW) management, identify key themes and trends, and provide guidance for adopting digital technologies to support sustainable construction waste management in developing countries. The PRISMA methodology and the archival research methods were used to identify papers published in the last 10 years through Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The results show that of the 60 papers that were identified most of the research is concentrated in Europe and Asia. BIM was also found to be the most digital tool used in managing construction and demolition waste. More advanced technologies, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics, are mainly applied at demolition and recycling stages to support waste identification and material recovery. Based on the findings, the study outlines a phased approach to digital CDW management for developing countries, starting with BIM-based waste prevention and progressing towards more integrated, standardized, and scalable digital solutions that support sustainable industrialization in the built environment. As a mapping-focused study, this review emphasized the classification of digital tools and their applications; future studies should focus on empirical evaluations and comparative analyses to provide deeper performance-based insights into digital solutions for CDW management.

This study provides a qualitative comparative assessment of the Circular Economy (CE) framework and the Green Pyramid Rating System (GPRS) as emerging approaches for improving construction and demolition waste (CDW) management in Algeria. The research aims to examine the advantages, limitations, and contextual applicability of both systems, and to explore their potential integration into a coherent sustainability model suited to the Algerian construction sector. A descriptive–comparative qualitative methodology was adopted, combining a systematic literature review, a case study of Algeria, and expert input collected from 21 professionals representing engineering, environmental management, and policy sectors. Data were analysed thematically and synthesised using a structured SWOT matrix. Findings show that CE offers strong potential for resource efficiency, waste minimisation, and job creation, yet remains constrained by limited recycling infrastructure and high initial investment requirements. In contrast, the GPRS provides measurable sustainability criteria at the project level and strengthens energy and resource efficiency, but suffers from low national adoption, limited professional capacity, and competition from global rating systems. Results also indicate that integrating CE’s macro-level material circularity with GPRS’s micro-level performance standards could enhance environmental outcomes and support Algeria’s transition toward sustainable construction practices. The study recommends expanding recycling infrastructure, developing regulatory incentives for green construction, localising GPRS criteria for the Algerian context, and adopting a hybrid CE–GPRS implementation roadmap to advance national CDW management strategies.

The construction and demolition sector is one of the biggest consumers of natural resources in the world and consequently, one of the biggest waste producers worldwide. The proper management of construction and demolition waste (CDW) can provide major benefits for the construction and recycling industry. However, the recycling rate of CDW is relatively low, as there is still a lack of confidence in the quality of recycled CDW materials. Therefore, new research projects are looking for innovative solutions within recycling of CDW in order to overcome uncertainties currently associated with the use of construction products made from recycled or re-used CDW. In this paper, a “cradle-to-cradle” life cycle assessment (LCA) study has been conducted to investigate the environmental performance of the prefabricated geopolymeric façade cladding panels made from large fractions of CDW. The LCA results indicate that the majority of the environmental burden arises within the manufacturing stage; however, the environmental burden can be reduced with simple optimisation of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the prefabricated geopolymeric façade cladding panels is generally lower than the environmental burden associated with the façade cladding panels made from virgin materials.

This study conducted during the fiscal year of 2022–2023 endeavors to offer waste generation rates (WGR) for different Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) materials and analyze the financial and environmental benefits of CDW recycling at a national level. Findings from the study reveal that CDW in Bangladesh mainly consists of concrete (56%), brick (15%), mortar (9%), metal (6%), and ceramics (6%). Additionally, the collective CDW produced in six major cities studied totals 3.71 million tons (MT). The WGR of CDW is assessed through regression analysis. The mean WGR for Construction and Demolition activities in the fiscal year 2022–2023 are notably recorded at 64.68 kg/m2 and 1626.97 kg/m2, correspondingly for the 12 city corporations. The study highlights the potential for entrepreneurial initiatives in recycling materials like concrete, brick, mortar, metal, ceramics, and timber, leading to reduced CO2 emissions and energy consumption. The estimated economic value of recycling concrete, brick, and metals in major cities is approximately 104.5 million USD and 0.45 MT of CO2 reduction from recycling brick and metals from major cities.

Improve the quality of construction and demolition waste by separation techniques

The issue of sustainability has long been the subject of interest in architecture engineering and the construction sector. All three aspects of sustainability—economic, environmental, and social—can be affected through appropriate construction waste management. Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is one of the largest worldwide waste streams, therefore, it is given great attention by all stakeholders (investors, contractors, authorities, etc.). Research studies show that one of the main barriers to insufficient CDW recovery is inadequate policies and legal frameworks to manage CDW. It is also one of European Union’s (EU) environmental priorities. The aim of the article was to confirm the economic potential of construction and demolition waste audit processing through a case study. A pre-demolition waste audit was processed for an unused shopping center building in the town Snina in Slovakia. Subsequently, a comparison of economic parameters (waste disposal costs and transport costs) of the recommended CDW management was performed. This comparison confirmed the economic benefits of environmentally friendly construction waste management methods according to the waste audit results, which would also increase the sustainability of construction projects. Additionally, the cost parameters of selected waste disposal methods could be another dimension of building information modeling.

This study presents the first application of the pressure-state-response (PSR) model in the comprehensive assessment of construction and demolition waste (CDW) recycling benefits. Unlike traditional methods, the PSR model provides a multi-dimensional analysis that integrates economic, environmental, and social factors, offering a more holistic approach to evaluating the impact of CDW recycling strategies. This model enables stakeholders to better understand the pressures, states, and responses involved in CDW management, providing actionable insights to optimize recycling efforts and support sustainable urban development. Using the pressure-state-response (PSR) logical framework of sustainable economics, this paper systematically analyzed the comprehensive benefit mechanism of the recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW), and designed a comprehensive benefit evaluation model for CDW recycling. At the same time, taking Chongqing as an example, the management status of construction and demolition waste, the supply and demand matching of sustainable recycling products, and the impact of the input and output of CDW management were analyzed. The results were as follows: (1) The recovery rate of urban manure fluctuated between 0.13 and 0.17, mainly in temporary landfill. (2) Based on the latest market demand data of CDW recycled products, the supply–demand ratio of recycled products fluctuated between 0.11 and 0.21. This change in the supply–demand ratio reflects improvements in recycling technologies, such as the introduction of C2CA technology, which has greatly increased the supply of high-quality recycled materials. In addition, government policies encouraging the use of recycled products in public projects have contributed to this shift, further aligning supply with market demand. (3) The benefit–cost ratio of CDW management reflects new recycling technologies and the improved efficiency of CDW management. The benefit–cost ratio, which currently fluctuates between 0.32 and 0.39, more accurately reflects the current state of CDW management, which is increasingly adopting advanced technologies, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced costs. Based on this, this paper discusses the supply–demand relationship and benefit–cost ratio in CDW management from supply-side and demand-side perspectives, and puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions. The research results provide a clear reference for improving the efficiency of building demolition waste resource utilization, especially in optimizing the balance of market supply and demand, and improving the economic benefits of recycled products. By analyzing the balance between the supply and demand ratio and the benefit–cost ratio, this study helps inform policy makers, businesses, and investors, to promote the sustainable development of CDW recycling projects to maximize resource efficiency, while reducing environmental pressures. These results not only provide practical guidelines for the implementation of CDW recycling projects, but also lay a foundation for future policy formulation and the setting of industry standards.

Вefore the statement of the problem analysis of the financial , economic and ecological effectiveness of the implementation of the city target program management of construction and demolition waste (CDW) was necessary, which are based on the existing rules scientific and planning activities, to formulate and solve the problem of the establishment and adoption of standards (giving them status of legitimacy and obligation to fulfill) the whole range of parameters, evaluating CDW recycling activities (including foreign experience and national specificity).

The consumption of raw materials in the construction industry is a non-sustainable activity because in this process large amounts of natural resources are consumed. Moreover, Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) represents around 50% of waste produced in the urban region of world. For example, in the Medellin Metropolitan Area (MMA), 10,400 t.day⁻¹ of CDW are produced, of which only 9.7% is recycled. It is for this reason that CDW management is currently unsustainable and generates significant adverse environmental impacts. It is today acknowledged that this waste can be used as a by-product material for the production of recycled coarse aggregate, showing industrial applicability. However, CDW with small particle sizes (less than 4 mm that represents around 16% of this waste), do not have applicability in these processes. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce CDW volume dumped. An alternative to the final disposal of finer CDW is to use it to improve the physical and chemical properties of degraded soils and improve vegetation and ecosystem services. This paper evaluated the potential use of CDW as a source of nutrients for degraded soils after it was submitted to bioacidulation process by Aspergillus niger and Mortierella sp. Insoluble minerals such as quartz, calcite, wollastonite, albite, anatase and actinolite were found in the CDW by mineralogical and chemical characterization techniques. CDW mesh could improve the physical properties of degraded soils since these particles are similar in size to silt and clay. Furthermore, after CDW were bioacidulated an increased concentration of Ca²+ were found, an essential nutrient for the growth and development of plants.

The construction industry accounts for approximately one-third of the total waste generation globally. With the United Nations projecting a population increase of 2 billion within the next three decades, there is a heightened demand for building stock, generating unprecedented volumes of construction and demolition waste (CDW). To combat this, circular economy strategies are purported to help alleviate the prevailing situation. But a number of challenges are jeopardizing their implementation in the construction industry and preventing from achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, net zero carbon and zero avoidable waste targets. This paper systematically analyzes 54 research articles, published in the past decade within major peer-reviewed English-language scholarly publications in the form of a systematic research review. In doing so, it aims to identify and classify the challenges that prevent improved CDW management by assimilating previous research results in support of a circular economy. The classification and analysis using a PESTLE model offers insights into gaps and differences between categories, as well as regions and countries. This initial step could contribute to a better understanding of these barriers, along with associated solutions, which could result in a significant reduction on the impact of construction activities, therefore facilitating the development of an effective circular economy in the sector.

The on-going rapid urbanization in China leads to large amount of raw materials input and the increasing discharge of construction and demolition waste (CDW). How to deal with the CDW properly has become a critical issue for China’s sustainable development. From an international perspective, the paper summarizes the present status of CDW management policy systems and recycling technologies as an inspiration to improve the recycling of the CDW in China.

Effectively managing Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) requires prioritizing multi-dimensional risks, a task complicated by the inherent uncertainty and subjectivity of expert judgments. While classical methods like Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Fine–Kinney (FK) provide a diagnostic structure, they struggle to capture the vagueness in subjective assessments. This study addresses this gap by developing an integrated framework that couples the classical FMEA/FK criteria (Severity, Exposure, Probability, Detectability, Frequency) with Picture-Fuzzy (PiF) multi-criteria decision making. The methodology first elicits criterion importances from 15 experts using PiF Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (PiF-SWARA), which retains approval, indeterminacy, rejection, and refusal degrees to reduce information loss. Subsequently, it ranks 40 risk factors using the PiF Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (PiF-TOPSIS). Results show severity is the most influential criterion, followed by exposure and probability. The framework identifies the highest-priority risks as cumulative pollution with rising complaints, groundwater leakage, and insufficient investment/operating budgets. A sensitivity analysis confirms that environmental and financial risks remain consistently prominent across various weighting scenarios. This harmonized FMEA/FK–PiF-SWARA–TOPSIS approach yields a transparent and defensible prioritization, offering a practical tool for managers to allocate resources effectively, focusing on critical environmental controls and addressing core financial deficiencies in CDW systems.

This study analyzes the transportation costs for Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) to landfills across six buildings (A, B, C, D, E, and F) in Diwaniyah, Iraq, over three years. CDW, generated from construction and demolition activities, presents significant environmental challenges. Efficient management and transportation of CDW are essential to reduce its impact. The CDW landfill transport cost ratio, representing the proportion of transportation costs relative to the total project cost, varied between 0.123% and 0.244% across the buildings. This ratio highlights the financial cost of CDW transportation and reflects the efficiency of logistics and waste management strategies. Buildings with lower transportation costs had the lowest ratios, while those facing more logistical challenges had higher ratios. Despite a higher ratio, the building with the lowest construction cost demonstrated effective waste management. This study emphasizes the influence of location, construction costs, and site accessibility on CDW transportation efficiency.

Analysis of the compactness and properties of the hardened state of mortars with recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW)

Sustainable construction and demolition waste management in Somaliland: Regulatory barriers lead to technical and environmental barriers