Intelligent Technologies Transforming Demolition Waste Management
With urbanisation advancing at an unprecedented pace and the construction industry expanding worldwide, the effective management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste has become a critical priority.
C&D waste already accounts for a substantial share of landfill use in many countries, and as cities grow, the problem is only set to intensify. Intelligent technologies are increasingly seen as the key to tackling this challenge, but integrating these tools into a cohesive and scalable framework has proven far from simple.
A new study conducted by researchers from Shenzhen University, Heriot-Watt University, City University of Hong Kong, and Huazhong University of Science and Technology sheds fresh light on the issue. Their paper, Utilizing intelligent technologies in construction and demolition waste management: From a systematic review to an implementation framework, systematically explores the role of digital innovation in this vital area.
Mapping the global research landscape
The research team adopted a four-step methodology to ensure a robust approach. First, they retrieved literature from the Web of Science core database, beginning with 670 papers before narrowing the scope to 214 for deeper analysis. They then applied VOSviewer software to conduct bibliometric mapping, identifying publication trends, co-authorship networks, and international contributions. The final stage involved an in-depth examination of 73 key studies published between 2013 and 2023.
This analysis enabled the researchers to categorise applications of seven intelligent technologies used in C&D waste management and group them into five overarching categories. The result is a conceptual application framework designed to guide both academics and practitioners in the field.
Leading technologies in C&D waste management
The findings revealed that some technologies dominate current research and practice:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Used extensively for predictive modelling, classification of waste materials, and automated decision-making.
- Building Information Modelling (BIM): Plays a critical role in design evaluation, collaborative work, and integrating waste management strategies during planning and construction.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Applied for site selection, logistics, and transportation optimisation.
- Big Data (BD): Enables real-time analysis and pattern recognition to improve efficiency.
- Internet of Things (IoT): Facilitates monitoring, tracking, and communication between waste sources, transport systems, and processing facilities.
These technologies are being harnessed to predict waste generation, optimise transport routes, streamline classification, and assess environmental impacts. However, the research highlights that their integration across all lifecycle phases remains limited, with significant gaps in combining established and emerging technologies.
Opportunities for improvement
Despite the progress made, the study points out several critical limitations:
- A lack of comprehensive integration between technologies.
- Limited research spanning all stages of the C&D waste lifecycle, from design to disposal and recycling.
- Underexplored potential of emerging tools such as blockchain and advanced robotics.
The researchers argue that addressing these gaps requires a broader perspective. “Future research should emphasise holistic integration, lifecycle-wide coverage, and exploration of underutilised technologies to drive genuine transformation in waste management systems.”
A framework for strategic implementation
To guide future development, the study introduces a strategic implementation framework. This model classifies intelligent technologies into five functional categories:
- Spatial technologies: including GIS for mapping, monitoring, and optimising infrastructure.
- Recognition technologies: such as AI-driven image recognition for sorting and classifying materials.
- Data communication and collection technologies: largely IoT-based systems that gather and transmit real-time information.
- Data management and processing technologies: covering big data analytics and cloud computing platforms.
- Data exchange and transaction technologies: where blockchain can play a role in ensuring transparency, traceability, and trust.
By aligning these categories with various lifecycle stages of C&D waste management, the framework provides a roadmap for both industry practitioners and policymakers to merge existing systems with cutting-edge innovations.
Global context and industry relevance
The research findings resonate strongly with global initiatives aimed at promoting circular economies and sustainable urban development. According to the European Environment Agency, C&D waste accounts for more than one-third of all waste generated in the EU.
In China, estimates suggest the construction sector produces nearly 2 billion tonnes of waste annually, while the United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that C&D waste in the US exceeded 600 million tonnes in 2018—double the amount of municipal solid waste.
These statistics underline the urgency of finding smarter, more integrated solutions. Internationally, governments and industry bodies are pushing for stricter recycling targets and sustainable construction practices, which will inevitably rely on the intelligent technologies outlined in the study.
Future directions for innovation
The study also highlights several areas ripe for further research and development:
- Lifecycle integration: Applying intelligent technologies across the entire value chain, from design to recycling.
- Blockchain adoption: Ensuring transparency in waste transactions, certification of recycled materials, and compliance with regulations.
- Robotics and automation: Enhancing waste sorting, on-site material recovery, and labour efficiency.
- Digital twins: Creating real-time, data-driven replicas of construction projects to monitor and minimise waste.
“Emerging technologies should not be treated as peripheral but integrated into mainstream systems to unlock their full potential,” the authors note.
Towards a smarter, sustainable future
The implications of this research are far-reaching. By providing a structured framework and highlighting gaps in current practice, the study offers a roadmap for academia, industry, and policymakers to work together in tackling one of construction’s most pressing environmental challenges. More importantly, it underscores that waste is not just a by-product to be managed but a resource that, if intelligently harnessed, can contribute to a truly circular economy.
As cities continue to expand, the integration of AI, BIM, IoT, and other intelligent technologies into C&D waste management is no longer optional. It is a necessity. With strategic frameworks like the one proposed in this study, the industry is better positioned to transition towards sustainable, data-driven practices that reduce environmental impact while boosting efficiency.
