Investigation of the main causes of construction waste generation and reduction methods in the building industry in Iran
Journal of Behdasht dar Arseh (i.e., Health in the Field),
Vol. 13 No. 1 (1404),
1 October 2025
,
Page 71-82
https://doi.org/10.22037/jhf.v13i1.44416
Abstract
Background and Aims: Construction waste constitutes a significant proportion of the total waste generated by human societies. The depletion of natural resources and the extensive consumption of raw materials for producing construction materials, on the one hand, and the disposal of generated waste in the environment, on the other, not only impose economic challenges but also pose potential environmental risks. This study investigates the underlying causes of construction waste generation, explores strategies for its minimization at construction sites, and examines the associated challenges in Iran. The main objective of this research is to identify the existing challenges in construction waste management.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by examining construction waste with a focus on its generation and reduction methods in five selected projects across four cities, at different stages of construction, and in both public and private sectors. Three approaches—review, interview, observation, and questionnaire—were used for data collection, and SPSS software was applied for data analysis. Ethical considerations were taken into account throughout all stages of the study.
Results: The results of the study showed that the main causes of construction waste generation include workers’ lack of awareness, demolition due to poor design, low-quality materials, rework resulting from design changes, improper transportation, vandalism, and inefficient management. The most common measures for reducing construction waste are segregation and sale (limited to metals, cardboard, and plastics); retrieval of surplus tools and materials; adequate storage; and timely delivery.
Conclusion: The effectiveness and positive impact of this study depend on the level of awareness among staff and executive agents, economic considerations, the formulation of regulations and regular monitoring of projects, environmental impacts, and other related factors. These results can serve as a basis for developing guidelines and enacting regulations for construction contractors, thereby fostering changes toward improved construction waste management.
- Construction waste
- Construction industry
- Minimization
- Iran
How to Cite
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