Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction Management, and Computers & Digitization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 4472

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of the Built Environment, University College of Estate Management, Reading RG1 4BS, UK
Interests: performance management; construction management; design management; process management; sustainability

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Guest Editor
School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK
Interests: waste management; construction and demolition waste; circular economy; construction management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid pace of urbanisation, globally, construction and demolition waste (CDW) accounts for approximately 36% (equating to between 2.5 and 3.5 billion tonnes) of the total solid waste received annually at landfill sites around the world. It is possible to classify the effects of construction and demolition waste (CDW) caused by the industry into two levels: the project level and national level. At the project level, CDW affects the profitability and reputation of stakeholders while significantly influencing project efficiency and performance. On a national scale, CDW has the potential to create environmental challenges, both domestically and globally, while also placing a financial burden on governments as they strive to address CDW-related issues. This Special Issue compiles the most recent research aimed at tackling solid CDW. It encompasses strategies for waste reduction and recovery, as well as the implementation of measures at either the project or broader levels. The overarching goal is to align the construction industry with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and accelerate the adoption of such practices in government policies and industry standards on a global scale.

Prof. Dr. Angela Lee
Dr. Juan Ferriz-Papi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • solid construction waste
  • circular economy
  • construction and demolition waste (CDW)
  • sustainable construction
  • sustainable built environment
  • reuse
  • recycling

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 1334 KiB  
Article
Designing for a Circular Economy in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry: Insights from Italy
by Mahmoud Alhawamdeh, Angela Lee and Ali Saad
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1946; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071946 - 27 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1684
Abstract
Resource consumption in the construction industry is expected to increase globally in the coming years. Additionally, construction and demolition waste (CDW) remains a significant priority within numerous global policies due to its vast volume and the inefficiencies in its management. This situation results [...] Read more.
Resource consumption in the construction industry is expected to increase globally in the coming years. Additionally, construction and demolition waste (CDW) remains a significant priority within numerous global policies due to its vast volume and the inefficiencies in its management. This situation results in substantial environmental repercussions, primarily due to the low rates of material recovery in the manufacturing processes for new building materials. In response, the concept of the circular economy (CE) emerges as a promising solution across various sectors. CE promotes more resource- and energy-efficient practices, reducing waste generation and mitigating the environmental impacts associated with product life cycles while also unlocking potential economic opportunities. The primary aim of this study is to identify and assess the design practices influencing the adoption of CE principles within the Italian architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector. The study’s main contribution lies in a survey of 77 Italian designers to explore the core strategies driving the development of comprehensive circular approaches. This investigation seeks to understand the constraints and opportunities for CE implementation. The findings will assist in decision-making, inform policy, promote literacy around the CE topic, enable new quality standards, and serve as a baseline reference for businesses regarding sustainability investment indexes and markets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector)
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Review

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20 pages, 1817 KiB  
Review
Examining the Challenges for Circular Economy Implementation in Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Comprehensive Review Using Systematic Methods
by Juan Antonio Ferriz-Papi, Angela Lee and Mahmoud Alhawamdeh
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051237 - 26 Apr 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2257
Abstract
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 [...] Read more.
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. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector)
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