Leveraging Industry 4.0 Technologies for Construction and Demolition Waste Management in South Africa

The construction industry generates significant construction and demolition waste (C&DW). This remains a growing challenge in South Africa. Conventional management approaches have proved inadequate, while Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies provide new opportunities to improve efficiency and sustainability. This study examines the adoption of I4.0 technologies for C&DW management in South Africa and their role in promoting digital transformation and resource efficiency. This study used a quantitative research approach. The study collected 102 responses from construction professionals in South Africa using a structured questionnaire. The responses were analysed using Percentages, Mean Item Score, Standard deviation, and a one-sample t-test. The findings show that GIS, GPS, IIoT, UAVs, and cloud computing are the most widely adopted technologies. This reflects their practical value in waste monitoring, data management, and process coordination. However, advanced technologies like blockchain, digital twins, robotics, and AI are still underutilised. These results highlight both progress and challenges in the industry’s digital transformation. The study concludes that I4.0 technologies have the potential to reduce waste, optimise resources, and support sustainable construction practices. Thus, it recommends stronger policy support, targeted training, industry-wide collaboration, and pilot projects to accelerate adoption. These insights contribute to policy and practice by showing how digital tools can reshape waste management strategies in developing nations.