Challenges Associated with Managing Construction and Demolition Waste in Construction Projects

Global urbanisation and infrastructure expansion have accelerated economic growth, but they have also brought a major environmental challenge: the management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. To ensure that South African construction projects are managed effectively and sustainably, the study aims to guide future planning decisions and policy development. The study used a quantitative approach to its investigation with the questionnaire survey as a tool for data collection. The questionnaires were designed using closed-ended multiple-choice questions. The respondents' responses were analysed using the Mean Item Score (MIS) and Kruskal Wallis. The results show that the most critical challenges influencing the management of C&D waste are transportation costs and ineffective project management, closely followed by material quality variability and cost management. Based on the assessment of these challenges, it is recommended that stakeholders use a comprehensive strategy to effectively address the challenges associated with managing C&D waste in construction projects. The research contributes to advancing civil engineering and contractor knowledge and skills by tackling this urgent environmental and social dilemma, with tangible benefits to the environment and society.