Minimizing Construction Waste: Management Practice Strategies across All Project Stages

Ali Hussein Mohammad

doi:10.48084/etasr.10850

Authors

Ali Hussein Mohammad Building Engineering Department, Thi-Qar Education Directorate, Ministry of Education, Iraq

Volume: 15 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 25118-25126 | August 2025 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.10850

Received: 8 March 2025 | Revised: 27 April 2025 and 6 May 2025 | Accepted: 8 May 2025 | Online: 2 August 2025

Corresponding author: Ali Hussein Mohammad

Abstract

Construction waste resulting from building projects is one of the most damaging activities for the environment because the former can be produced at any stage of a project. This study emphasizes the importance of waste management and outlines the significant environmental and economic consequences of construction waste, by examining the construction materials that generate the highest percentage of them in construction projects. Additionally, the causes of waste generation in construction projects at each stage was determined, in order to contribute to the development of effective remedial strategies for reducing this type of waste. A quantitative descriptive approach was deployed, distributing a questionnaire to 270 participants from the Iraqi construction industry. Finally, statistical analysis was used to analyze the questionnaire data with SPSS software V.26. The results showed that concrete and aggregate constituted 45%, timber 25%, plaster 15.7%, and soil 9.3%. It was also demonstrated that the main reasons for waste generation in construction projects at different stages are the design and detail complexity, inappropriate material supply, and insufficient material quantities. The most efficient strategies for reducing waste are clarifying drawings, and incorporating renewable resources into designs, ensuring efficient procurement and material handling.

Keywords:

waste construction, waste management practice, quantitative method

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