Construction Waste Reduction in Yola using Circular Economy Approach

The sustainable management of construction waste represents a major challenge in promoting the circular economy. Construction is responsible for a significant amount of waste, and its proper management is essential to minimize environmental impact and create an efficient circular system. This article examines the challenges and opportunities associated with the sustainable management of construction waste. Challenges include the diversity and complexity of materials used in construction, as well as the need to develop adequate infrastructures for waste collection, sorting and recycling. However, there are also many opportunities in promoting the sustainable management of construction waste. The circular economy offers the opportunity to turn waste into valuable resources through recycling, reuse and reuse. To fully exploit these opportunities, collaboration between the public and private sectors is required, as well as the development of coherent policies and regulations for the management of construction waste. In conclusion, the sustainable management of construction waste represents both a challenge and an opportunity in promoting the circular economy. By adopting effective strategies and policies, implementing innovative technologies and involving all stakeholders, we can help reduce the impact of construction waste on the environment and build a more sustainable future. This paper was supported by the State Program 20.80009.0807.22 Development of the mechanism for the formation of the circular economy in the Republic of Moldova.

The construction industry in Ethiopia faces significant challenges due to inadequate waste management legislation. Particularly in Mekelle City. This study aimed to identify major sources, quantify and characterize construction wastes and analyze illegal dumping sites to promote sustainable urban waste management. Data were collected through Pyramidal and rectangular prism measurements, material flow method, questionnaire survey, field observation and secondary sources. Survey responses were analyzed by using SPSS software. Findings reveal 5,161,585 m 3 illegally disposed construction wastes composed of soil, stone, ceramics, blocks, tiles, concrete, asphalt, wood, masonry, metal, plastics, packaging, and pipes, with barriers to recycling include a Lack of recycling technology, high cost, insufficient incentives, and limited knowledge. The most preferred waste management methods are reuse (50.9%), reduce (16.4%), and disposal (16.4%), with key minimization strategies Proper storage and material handling, standardization of design, on-site segregation, and Reuse yielding Relative Importance Index (RII) values 0.89, 0.8, 0.79, 0.78, respectively. However, inadequate strategies contribute to uncontrolled waste disposal in sensitive areas such as grazing lands, water bodies, roads, and residential areas, causing environmental harm. Prior to this study, the quantification and characterization of construction waste in Mekelle had not been studied. This study addresses the quantity, characteristics, and employed waste management methods to enhance the reduction, reusing, and recycling practices within the construction industry, insight urban waste management, and ensure sustainable environment. This study recommends promoting reduce, reuse, and recycle (3Rs), enforcing legal robust framework, and fostering a change in the mindset of construction companies to improve sustainability of waste management.

Circular economy is a concept that aims to improve resource efficiency by minimizing resource consumption and waste generation. The implementation of circular economy can be conducted at three levels: in single enterprise or group of enterprises, in a group of collocated firms and at the city or municipal level. Currently, implementation of circular economy in Malaysia is at firm level. There is a lack of legal framework on the implementation of circular economy in Malaysia. However, there are certain sections and regulations in Environmental Quality Act 1974, Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 and in Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulation 2005, respectively, that promote resource circulation. Nationwide initiatives taken to promote circular economy are inclusion of integration of sustainable production and consumption, reduction of 40% of greenhouse gas emissions intensity from GDP compared to 2005 level and 22% of recycling of MSW, in Eleventh Malaysian Plan. Additionally, SWCorp has launched SWCorp Strategic Plan to promote sustainable solid waste management services, and CIDB has initiated CITP that has a target of incorporating 20% of recycled construction and demolition waste (tonnage) by year 2020 from baseline of 2016. Also, there are guidelines on coprocessing and proposals on establishment of industrial ecology by DOE. A few case studies show implementation of circular economy in manufacturing industries. The benefits of these implementations were reduction in energy and resource consumption, reduction in waste generation, protection of environment and human health, cost savings by reusing or recycling waste and additional profit gains by selling waste to potential buyers. Several opportunities of sustainable waste management and resource circulation have been highlighted in this chapter such as manufacturing of bioproducts and butanol from biomass to coprocessing between ELVs and construction industry. To successfully implement circular economy, top-down and bottom-up approach is required, and currently, Malaysia does not have explicit top-down and bottom-up approaches.

Abstract. The purpose of the article is to study the global experience of regulatory and legal regulation of construction and demolition waste management to determine measures to ensure the use of secondary raw materials from construction waste in Ukraine for the restoration of objects damaged and destroyed as a result of military actions and the construction of new buildings. The results of the study of the experience of developed countries regarding the attraction of construction and demolition waste for reuse and processing into secondary raw materials are presented. Analytical studies have established that Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and the Council provides for a target increase by 2020 of the share of non-hazardous construction waste prepared for reuse and recycling to at least 70% by weight, as well as promotion of recycling by selective removal of materials and creation of sorting systems. The direct requirements of the regulatory and legal regulation of construction waste management during the construction of facilities are outlined. In some states, direct requirements for handling construction waste have been established: in new construction, a certain percentage of products from recycled waste must be used; ban on landfills for construction waste that can be used for processing into secondary raw materials; the minimum area of buildings, during the construction of which mandatory disposal of waste is regulated; the minimum volumes of construction work are legally defined, the excess of which determines the need for builders to sort and process construction and demolition waste. The lack of specific target indicators for the collection, sorting, processing of construction and demolition waste, as well as the use of secondary raw materials obtained from them, was emphasized in the normative legal acts of Ukraine on waste management.

Globalization and industrialization have significantly impacted the dynamics of waste generation, management, collection, and processing, resulting in increasing amounts of various types of waste and serious environmental challenges. This paper analyzes the treatment and recycling of construction waste through the legislative framework and presents key challenges in the implementation of green policies in the Republic of Croatia. The methodological framework is based on a qualitative analysis of normative acts at the national level. Through statistical analysis and a detailed review of the waste categorization process, including the origin, type, and properties of waste, as well as statistical data on the produced, collected, and utilized amounts of construction waste in 2022, an insight into the current state of the construction waste management sector is provided. The example of the company “Reciklaža Mišić” demonstrates how recovered construction waste can lose its waste status and be used as recycled aggregate if the assessment and verification of the constancy of performance are carried out according to the technical specification aligned with the legal regulations governing construction products. The research results indicate the need for further familiarization of the construction sector with the procedure for removing waste status so that recycled aggregates can become a construction product and ensure market placement of materials, thereby contributing to the circular economy and reducing environmental burden. In conclusion, the research shows that achieving sustainable construction waste management requires further strengthening of the economic sector, better integration of ecological principles, and active involvement of the local community in the waste management process.

The European Union has issued action plans to reduce the production of construction waste and increase the reuse and recycling of materials in the hope of triggering a rapid transition towards a Circular Economy (CE). The management of construction and demolition waste, however, struggles to apply these measures. Our purpose, therefore, is to analyse how different actors involved in the management of waste could contribute to transform existing practices so that they respond to the shifting demands of legislation and support CE. To understand how this transformation work is performed, we build on the concept of institutional work, which enables us to describe how actors, rather than accepting institutions as permanent and immovable, contribute to their development by creating, maintaining or disrupting the existing institution. Drawing on qualitative research methods, we collected empirical data through 31 semi-structured interviews, observations of meetings and site visits. Our results show that whereas the production of waste is somewhat reduced, and the sorting of fractions improved, the institutional work performed is not sufficient to translate sustainability into new economic values. Although the work performed legitimizes CE principles and enables new initiatives, it mostly fails to change normative associations and to define new rules of action that support CE.

Abstract: The study presents a model for the effective application of the circular economy approach to waste management on building construction sites in Southeast Nigeria. Employing a qualitative research approach, data was gathered through structured, open-ended interviews conducted with 322 key stakeholders, including contractors, clients, and consultants proportionally distributed across Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, and Imo States. The stakeholders, drawn from a total population of 1,653 building construction professionals, were identified through purposive sampling. The study explored current waste management practices, the primary factors influencing waste generation and disposal, the extent of utilization of recycled materials by construction firms, and the challenges associated with applying circular economy principles. The findings revealed the prevalent use of traditional waste management practices, limited adoption of recycled materials, and significant barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, low stakeholder awareness, and resistance to change. The proposed model integrates circular economy principles to address these issues. Key components of the model include enhancing waste recycling initiatives, integrating waste management plans into project planning, mitigating root causes of waste through infrastructure investment and awareness campaigns, and promoting the reuse of construction and demolition waste as secondary raw materials. The model also emphasizes fostering stakeholder collaboration, developing sustainable urban strategies, and overcoming industry resistance to circular economy adoption. The research concludes by advocating for policy development, capacity building, infrastructure investment, and stakeholder engagement to facilitate the successful implementation of the model. Recommendations for future research and practical strategies for monitoring and evaluation of waste management initiatives are also provided, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation and collaboration in the construction sector. This study offers a significant step toward achieving sustainable waste management practices and advancing the principles of the circular economy within the Nigerian construction industry.

Despite having a significant socio-economic impact on a country’s growth, one of the biggest contributors to waste generation is the construction sector, thus increasing the necessity for innovative construction waste management strategies. Lean Construction (LC) is a much-adopted methodology that helps manage construction waste efficiently. This study investigates the barriers to LC implementation in the UAE’s building construction sector, with a specific focus on its potential for effective construction waste management. Recognizing the urgent need to adopt sustainable practices in the face of escalating environmental concerns, the study employs a quantitative exploratory approach combining literature synthesis, expert validation, descriptive statistical analysis, Relative Importance Index (RII) ranking, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine stakeholder perceptions across eight critical categories: Knowledge/Awareness, Attitude, Management, Government, Financial, Material/Resource, Technical, and Other contextual factors. The RII analysis ranks these barriers based on stakeholder responses, while the PLS-SEM approach models the strength and significance of their interrelationships within a validated structural framework. The findings reveal that while all eight categories significantly influence stakeholder perceptions, Attitude and Management factors exhibit the strongest impact, highlighting the importance of behavioral and organizational readiness in enabling LC adoption. The key deliverable of this research is a validated and empirically supported structural model that provides a strategic roadmap for overcoming resistance to LC implementation. By offering actionable insights into which barriers matter most and how they interact, the study equips policymakers, contractors, and industry stakeholders with evidence-based guidance to design targeted interventions. Ultimately, this research contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable construction by positioning LC as a viable pathway for reducing construction waste and improving efficiency in the UAE context.

Construction waste is generated from the various construction activities of building, maintaining, renovating, and demolishing infrastructure facilities. These materials include, but are not limited to, concrete, rubble, fiberglass, asphalt, bricks, wood, and scrap metals. In the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in the volume of construction and demolition (C&D) waste materials in the United States (U.S.). Between 1990 and 2017, the total increase in debris generation has surpassed 320%. According to U.S. solid waste management statistics, more than 50% of C&D waste has been and continues to be transported to landfills. The disposal of C&D waste materials in landfills can adversely affect the environment and is not viable economically. Also, C&D waste materials left on construction sites can threaten the safety of construction workers. The application of strategic C&D waste management practices through reducing, recycling, and reusing waste materials is essential for sustainable management of limited resources and thereby can benefit the environment, construction safety, and the economy. For example, the advantages of C&D waste management include reduced environmental pollution, expanded job opportunities, savings in construction project expenses, and enhanced safety for construction workers. The objective of this research was to explore various construction waste management practices to control C&D waste as well as the potential benefits they may bring to the environment, construction safety, and the economy. The findings of this research can be summarized as follows: 1) most construction companies do not deal with waste seriously that is the reason for high practice in landfilling. 2) the best way to minimize the harmful effect of construction waste is by following construction waste management practices, and 3) recycling construction waste is more cost-effective than dispose the waste.

A dynamic approach for investigating design approaches to reducing construction waste in healthcare projects

Purpose. To improve the existing system for managing construction waste generated due to the damage (destruction) of buildings and structures as a result of hostilities, with the aim of developing a long-term, comprehensive strategy for construction waste management, taking into account current conditions and challenges. The methods. An analysis of the main problems and methods of construction waste management in Ukraine was conducted, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages. A construction waste management scheme was developed; a SWOT analysis (Strengths Weakness Opportunity Threats) of waste management in the Dnipropetrovsk region was carried out, taking into account regional specifics. Results. An analysis of the problems of effective construction waste management allowed us to identify comprehensive actions and outline the main ways to improve the effective management of construction waste generated due to the damage (destruction) of buildings and structures, taking into account the experience of other countries and the specifics of the situation that has developed in Ukraine as a result of hostilities. The originality. The processing of construction waste has significant internal potential for expanding the use of recycled materials in Ukraine. Construction waste management can solve not only environmental problems but also become a source of efficient use of available resources, open up new opportunities for business, create a market for secondary building materials, and contribute to the transition to a circular economy. Practical implementation. Integration into a new unified innovative system involves solving a whole range of issues and problems related to the need to improve methods of managing construction waste generated due to the damage (destruction) of buildings and structures as a result of hostilities. This will allow the development of a transparent legislative and legal framework, create an effective market for secondary building materials, rationally use available resources, solve important environmental problems, and implement large-scale restoration projects based on the principles of a circular economy.

Construction waste generation estimates of institutional building projects: Leveraging waste hauling tickets

The circular economy (CE) concept presents an innovative solution, aiming to transform the traditional linear system into a regenerative system. Thus, it is considered as a potential means of addressing the limitations in construction and demolition (C&D) waste management (WM) practices. However, the lack of clarification among stakeholders regarding the application of CE is one of the significant problems in introducing CE practices to the construction industry. Thus, this research aims to develop a framework for CE-based C&D WM via stakeholder engagement (SE). Through a qualitative approach, data were collected through preliminary interviews, case studies, and a focus group, analysed via content and thematic analysis. Exploring the SE link, key mechanisms to integrate CE-based C&D WM in construction projects are revealed. The proposed SE framework promotes sustainable construction, offering stakeholders definitive guidelines for incorporating CE principles. In an industry with significant waste and environmental concerns, a CE focus on resource optimisation and waste reduction is crucial and influential.

A descriptive analysis of 416 documents was performed using bibliometric techniques, in order to gather existing knowledge in circular economy focusing on waste management (2007–2020). The results of this study indicate that annual scientific production increased 94% in the last 5 years, highlighting the countries of Italy, Spain, the UK, China, Brazil, and India. Between the most cited documents stand out those related to calorific value of municipal solid waste and waste to energy technologies for achieving circular economy systems. The conceptual analysis indicates strong linkage between circular economy and sustainable production, waste management, and recycling. Emerging research trends evolved from processes and industry-oriented approach (2017) toward waste management, recycling, and circular economy (2019) and sustainable development and urban solid waste (2020). The analysis reveals five dominant circular economy and waste research themes: (1) greenhouse gases; (2) circular economy, waste management, and recycling; (3) life cycle; (4) waste treatment; and (5) anaerobic digestion and recovery; trends research are related to policy interventions, and enforcement of authorities’ regulations to foster circular economy transition, increase the use of practices of recycling and reusing, as well as discourage a growing consumption culture. Results found denote the challenge represented by the implementation of comprehensive policies in circular economy. The above being a key alternative for green recovery in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract. Nowadays waste has become a vital part of our economy, as a by-product of economic activity. It originates from businesses, the government and households and following appropriate management techniques, it can be used as an input to economic activity for instance through material or energy recovery. Waste is produced by all activities and although it is a locally arising problem it has both local and global effects. Societies need to dispose their waste products creating a source of environmental pollution. Sustainable waste management requires the combination of skills and knowledge of physical sciences and engineering together with economics, ecology, human behaviour, entrepreneurship and good governance. This paper discusses extensively the policy framework and the legislative background around waste and its management in the EU and worldwide. In this way, it focuses on the treatment options for waste under the Circular Economy approach having in mind the idea of closing the loop and hence achieving a more efficient use of resources. Keywords. Municipal solid waste, Waste management, Resources, Circular economy, Waste infrastructure. JEL. O13, O52, Q50, Q53, Q56, R11.