Quantifying and characterizing construction waste for effective management in Mekelle, Ethiopia

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

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.

Urban waste management is unavoidable in efforts to maintain and improve the quality of life in cities worldwide. This research examines various aspects of urban waste management by adopting a literature review methodology. In the context of urban waste management, it is not just a local issue but also significantly impacts the environment, public health, and future cities' sustainability. The study's findings indicate that urban waste management is a critical and complex issue many cities face globally. The challenges involved require sustainable solutions to ensure the future sustainability of cities. One crucial step in addressing these challenges is raising public awareness about the importance of proper waste management. The public can better understand and appreciate sustainable waste management practices such as segregation, recycling, and waste reduction through appropriate education and campaigns. By developing the necessary infrastructure and implementing innovative solutions, cities can reduce the negative impacts of waste management.

The construction industry is known as one of the biggest generators of solid waste. Considering this, attention needs to be paid to construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Lebanon has experienced many situations that have increased the generation of C&D waste. Therefore, it is essential to manage C&D waste. This research aims to assess and analyse the importance of waste management plans and their impact on the generation of construction and demolition waste in Lebanon. For this purpose, an extensive literature review has been carried out, and a questionnaire survey consisting of five sections has been developed. Factors were ranked by using 5-point Likert scales. Additionally, four optional open-ended questions were also included in the survey for qualitative data collection. A survey questionnaire was sent to 80 Lebanese experts, and 50 questionnaires were returned. Most of the responses (i.e., consultants and academics) were from the private sector; results showed that respondents to this survey were biased for their expertise. Reliability and ranking analysis were performed on the collected data. It was found that “site management and supervision-related factors” are the main sources of C&D waste. The main barrier to implement 3R was the “lack of awareness and knowledge”, and the most critical success factor was “waste management regulations”. There is lack of data on construction waste in Lebanon. Therefore, there is a need to conduct research on construction waste management in Lebanon, which is the subject of the current investigation. This research is expected to generate benefits for the construction industry in Lebanon and the surrounding region.

Waste is considered as an end of city product’s life as well as a burden in modern society. The government of Hong Kong and Singapore are striving to improve construction and municipal solid waste management since 1960. At the same time, waste policies lead to social and economic controversies among citizen. How can we develop better sustainable waste management strategies? Will these methods lead to different level of environmental and economic problems? Whilst previous research in construction and municipal waste mainly sheds light on the methods of construction waste management on sites by interviews, surveys and case studies, few research has been conducted to study the digital information available in academic journal database and World Wide Web. This chapter tries to fill this gap by discussing (1) whether the government’s waste management strategies are sustainable; (2) the efforts on construction and municipal solid waste made by the governments in Hong Kong and Singapore.

This multidisciplinary study aims to analyse how the urban waste management system has changed in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, during the decade in which a single regional regulatory unit, the Emilia-Romagna Territorial Agency for Water and Waste Services (ATERSIR), was established and became operational, and the waste management planning was centralized at regional level. Particularly, the following changes have been analysed: i) the methods of municipal waste management (WM), considering waste generation, separate waste collection and waste treatment; ii) the costs of WM service, with a focus on cost of treatment and disposal of unsorted waste; and iii) the urban solid WM policies, in terms of levels of governance, territorial planning and implementation of policies on the regional territory. The period within which the analysis was carried out covers the years from 2008 to 2018, comparing two time frames, before and after ATERSIR establishment. Data at municipal level were gathered and analysed. The results of the technical, economical and institutional assessment show that relevant benefits occurred, such as a constant improvement of environmental performances, the optimisation of the waste flows to plants, a higher level of uniformity of WM cost among Municipalities and a better quality of data collected from waste providers for the technical and economic regulation of the sector. Potential improvements are identified, whilst the institutional reform is positively evaluated in all the analysed aspects.

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.

The rapid growth in construction activities in Nigeria generates substantial waste, posing significant environmental challenges. The 5R framework (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle) is a pivotal circular economy strategy for mitigating this issue. This study assesses the composition of construction waste, identifies causative factors, and evaluates the adoption of the 5R concept by construction firms in Yola, Nigeria. A quantitative approach was employed utilizing a structured questionnaire survey administered to 50 construction professionals. Data analysis using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII) revealed a significant gap between awareness and practice; while 60% of respondents were aware of the 5R principle, only 39% implemented it. Tile and wood were identified as the most prevalent waste materials. The primary causes of waste were design modifications, inability to reuse materials, and errors in material specifications. The findings indicate that chronic issues like design changes and inadequate planning persist despite known solutions, indicating that the barriers are rooted in economic, cultural, and regulatory domains rather than a lack of knowledge. The study concludes that overcoming the implementation gap requires a multi-faceted approach, including targeted policy interventions such as enforced waste management plans and landfill taxes, economic incentives demonstrating cost savings, and practical on-site training for workers. Translating 5R awareness into effective jobsite practice is essential for sustainable construction waste management in Yola and other areas with similar waste management challenges.

This research paper proposes an innovative approach to urban waste management using intelligent methods of classification, clustering, and forecasting. The application of this approach allows for more efficient waste management and contributes to the sustainable development of the urban environment. The aim of this research is to develop an intelligent method for urban waste management, which includes clustering of waste sources, accurate forecasting of waste volumes, and evaluation of forecast results. To achieve this goal, a real dataset with city characteristics and waste data was used. On account of the war in Ukraine, the authors faced the problem of obtaining open data on waste in Ukraine, so it was decided to use data from another city (Singapore). The results show the high efficiency of the developed method. Comparison of the obtained results with the results of the nearest similar works shows that the main feature of this study is the high accuracy of waste-volume forecasting using the XGBoost model, which reached a level of up to 98%.

The study examined the influence of waste management methods and practices on sustainable food production and socio-economic transformation in Ojo LGA, Lagos State. It was a descriptive cross sectional survey study and three hundred and eighty-four (384) residents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Three research questions guided the study. A structured questionnaire titled “Waste management methods, sustainable food production and socio-economic transformation (WMMSFSPT) was developed by the researchers. The research instrument was validated and pilot tested with reliability coefficient of 0.76. The mean and standard deviation of data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The results of the study showed that open dumping and open burning were the most common methods adopted by the residents of Ojo LGA as waste management method. The residents of Ojo LGA are aware of few sustainable waste management practices and lack adequate knowledge on the influence of improper waste management and disposal methods on sustainable food production. The residents accepted that sustainable waste management influence socio-economic transformation through promotion of healthy environment necessary for societal development through job creation, poverty reduction, increase government revenues, agricultural productivity and sustainable food security. It was therefore recommended among others that Ojo Government Area authority should educate the residents about the environmental consequences of improper waste disposal and benefits of adopting sustainable methods and practices for fostering responsible behaviour and promoting a culture of waste reduction.

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.

Construction waste management and inventory are lacking in the Jordanian construction sector. With the dramatic population growth, the construction sector plays a significant role in developing the Jordanian economy. This article aims to develop a model to quantify construction and demolition (C&D) waste based on either project hyper-categorization or waste type, and to measure the degree of awareness and readiness of local contractors to benefit from C&D waste. Therefore, it classified projects further into construction and infrastructure projects. The construction project is also classified as new construction, renovation, or rehabilitation. These classifications help improve the management of construction waste. Moreover, a survey was conducted among construction stakeholders to increase awareness and assess their perceptions and readiness to adopt C&D waste management activities in their current or future projects. Finally, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted to heighten major stakeholders' awareness about the challenges of C&D and to develop an effective C&D waste management plan. The results of this research can help both decision-makers and stakeholders in the construction sector properly classify their waste, reduce and manage generated C&D waste, and lower overall costs. Finally, the SWOT analysis identifies hidden opportunities to promote and develop a future C&D waste management at all levels. Meanwhile, revenue from recycling C&D waste is expected to be about US$4.2/m2 of construction.

Construction and demolition waste generated in the Republic of Korea accounts for about half of the annual waste. The generation of construction waste is expected to increase gradually due to obsolete structures and reconstructions that have reached the end of their service life. Considering the geographical characteristics of Korea, where the land area is small and about 70% of which is mountainous, landfilling of waste is absolutely limited. Therefore, resource circulation such as recycling of construction waste is an urgent and important task. This paper overviews the current status of construction waste generation, treatment, and the flow of government policies in Korea. Furthermore, the current status, limitations, and stakeholder efforts regarding recycling of recycled aggregate from construction waste were reviewed. Data used in this paper were mostly collected from government reports, construction waste regulations, and research papers. The results show that construction waste management systems have been enacted and revised in line with social needs, and each stakeholder is making an effort to use the construction waste practically. The findings can provide valuable examples for countries that lack construction waste management systems.Graphic abstract

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.

The potential and scale of cities enable economic growth and the improvement of citizens’ access to jobs, education, healthcare, culture, public utilities and services. Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the key services provided by cities. Its operations are complex, very visible to the general public, and impacted by strong financial, societal, and political constraints. Performances in developing countries, however, are not positive. United Nations research shows urban collection services covering no more than 39% of the population in low-income countries. Why are many cities in developing countries not able to use their increasing wealth and scale for basic SWM services such as city cleaning, collection, and sustainable landfilling? This paper provides a review of literature on this question over the last decade. It shows that research is mostly on symptoms and has not led to a deeper diagnosis of causes. Lack of resources, infrastructure, awareness, and institutional strength are often pinpointed as causes but, in fact, they should be addressed as symptoms. These symptoms should be designated as dependent variables in a complex causal network with systemic feedbacks, hindering or neutralizing attempts to improve performances if not properly dealt with. Research should concentrate more on assessing the relations between urbanization, urban processes, and urban governance that shape the performance of urban solid waste management. System dynamics modeling may provide new approaches for this diagnosis.