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Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Waste and Recycling".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 20100

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zezhou Wu

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Guest Editor

Department of Construction Management and Real Estate, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
Interests: sustainable construction; carbon emission reduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Jiayuan Wang

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Guest Editor

Sino-Australia Joint Research Centre in BIM and Smart Construction, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Interests: construction and demolition waste management; smart construction

Dr. Zhikun Ding

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Guest Editor

Sino-Australia Joint Research Centre in BIM and Smart Construction, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Interests: construction and demolition waste management; smart construction

Dr. Huabo Duan

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Guest Editor

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: construction and demolition waste management; lifecycle assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, with the United Nations repeatedly stressing the need to reduce carbon emissions, more and more countries and enterprises have actively responded to the call and have promised to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality in the future. It is not difficult to find that the new concept of carbon neutrality has become a buzzword all over the world. The construction industry, as a major contributor to carbon emissions, is receiving fierce criticism. In particular, the disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste (such as landfilling) has been criticized by environmentalists for a long time because of its pollution and damage to the environment. As a result, new concepts and techniques (such as green building and information technology) have been imported to reduce waste. It is very interesting to investigate their applications and impacts in the management of C&D waste. In addition, C&D waste is used as raw materials to produce recycled products and then put into new construction, thus reducing carbon emissions. Herein, a variety of stakeholders are involved in the processes mentioned above. These stakeholders inevitably influence each other, and their relationships are very complicated, so it is necessary to investigate the stakeholders and their waste minimization behavior.

Against this background, this Special Issue aims to gather research from experts across the world so we can all learn how to contribute to carbon neutrality through C&D waste management on various levels, e.g., projects, businesses, industries, and societies. We hope that such a collection of academic papers will contribute to promoting our understanding of the state-of-the-art methods and practices for sustainable construction in communities of scholars and practitioners.

We invite you to submit to this Special Issue of Sustainability. Topics of primary interest include but are not limited to:

C&D waste management transition paths towards carbon neutrality;
Policies on C&D waste management towards sustainability;
Environmental assessments of carbon emissions from C&D waste;
Stakeholder behaviors in C&D waste management;
Decision-making support systems for C&D waste management;
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage of C&D waste;
Technologies for producing recycled materials;
Societal implications of C&D waste management;
Comparative analysis of waste management requirements between green building and traditional building;
Reverse logistics supply chain of C&D waste management;
Applications of information technologies for C&D waste management;
Case studies on C&D waste management for carbon neutrality.

Dr. Zezhou Wu
Prof. Dr. Jiayuan Wang
Dr. Zhikun Ding
Dr. Huabo Duan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

construction and demolition waste
sustainability
recycling
lifecycle
environmental assessment
green building
industrial chain
stakeholders
decision making
information technology
carbon neutrality

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 6044 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life Cycle Environmental Assessment of Three Excavated Soil and Rock (ESR) Treatment Methods: A Case Study in Shenzhen City

by Jing Bai, Yi Ma, Qingbin Song, Zhijun Hu, Yanqiu Li and Huabo Duan

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 2022; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052022 - 29 Feb 2024

Viewed by 797

Abstract

This study aimed to quantitatively assess the environmental impacts of different methods used for treating excavated soil and rock (ESR) in Shenzhen, namely landfilling, sintering, and non-sintering, using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. The findings indicate that recycling ESR through sintering or non-sintering processes offers more sustainable alternatives than landfilling. The recycled products derived from ESR can effectively replace traditional building materials, thereby reducing their environmental impacts. However, when comparing the environmental impacts of sintering and non-sintering processes, the latter demonstrated more significant impacts, particularly in terms of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), and eutrophication potential (EP). Furthermore, it is worth noting that the environmental impacts of the sintering processes are influenced by fuel type and exhaust gas emissions, with natural gas combustion yielding more substantial overall environmental benefits. Moreover, ESR landfilling poses constraints on sustainable development and land resource occupation. This study contributes to a better understanding of the environmental impacts associated with ESR landfilling and recycling, provides management departments with optimal ESR management suggestions, and alleviates environmental pressure from urban development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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14 pages, 237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating Environmental Efficiency Upgrading Path of Construction Waste Based on Configuration Analysis

by Clyde Zhengdao Li, Xinyi Ling, Mingyang Jiang and Peiying Xie

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1784; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051784 - 21 Feb 2024

Viewed by 928

Abstract

The rapid development of urbanization and large-scale engineering projects have led to the output of a large quantity of construction waste, which also puts great pressure on the environment. Environmental efficiency, as one of the criteria for measuring sustainable development, can be used to measure the impact of enterprises, industries, or regions on the environment when creating economic value. This research takes 30 provinces in China as samples and uses configuration analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methods to analyze the combined effects of factors affecting the environmental efficiency of construction waste generation, to find upgrading paths to improve environmental efficiency. The results indicate that five configurations can promote provinces to achieve high environmental efficiency, which can be classified into three types: population density, technological innovation, and policy economy. These three configurations reveal the comprehensive impact of systematic correlations among population, technology, policy, and economic factors on environmental efficiency improvements. This research provides a certain theoretical reference for exploring the influencing factors of environmental efficiency and provides theoretical guidance for selecting different paths to improve the environmental efficiency of construction waste in regions with different social conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

18 pages, 14255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Emissions Reduction of a Circular Architectural Practice: A Study on a Reversible Design Pavilion Using Recycled Materials

by Hui Zhu, Shuenn-Ren Liou, Pi-Cheng Chen, Xia-Yun He and Meng-Lin Sui

Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1729; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051729 - 20 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1758

Abstract

The construction industry, as a major consumer of resources and energy, accounts for about 40% of global carbon emissions. The concept of a circular economy (CE) is one effective means to address this issue. The entire lifecycle of a building includes: material production, construction, operation, and demolition. The production of building materials emits the largest proportion of carbon dioxide, followed by the operational phase, while construction (including demolition) has the smallest proportion. However, it is crucial to note the waste phase after demolition, where building materials are typically disposed of through incineration or landfill, leading to significant carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Therefore, carbon emissions generated during both the production and waste phases of the construction industry cannot be overlooked. This article employs a combined approach of practice and research, using the Circular Pavilion as a case study. From the design stage, reducing resource usage and carbon emissions are considered crucial factors. Reversible design, modularity, and the use of recycled materials are employed to reduce the emissions of “embodied carbon” and enhance material reuse. To validate the effectiveness of recycled materials in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this study calculates the material usage and carbon emissions during the production, transportation, and waste phases of the Circular Pavilion, Concrete Pavilion, and Steel Pavilion. The Circular Pavilion accounts for 34% and 3.5% of the total carbon emissions of the Concrete Pavilion and Steel Pavilion, respectively. In conclusion, the practical implementation of reversible design and recycled materials based on the concept of a circular economy is key to transitioning the construction industry from environmentally harmful impacts to eco-friendly practices. This establishes an effective method for resource reuse and carbon dioxide reduction in the construction sector, allowing waste resources to re-enter production and manufacturing processes, thereby reducing natural extraction, waste disposal, and energy consumption. Future applications of this method in the construction field involve establishing multidimensional composite design models and conducting feasibility assessments with upstream and downstream supply chains to support the realization of circular cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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17 pages, 735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Digital Transformation Promote Service Innovation Performance of Construction Enterprises? The Mediating Role of Dual Innovation

by Beibei Zhang, Yang Mei, Yuxin Xiong and Yan Liu

Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1176; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031176 - 30 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1483

Abstract

With the ongoing intensification of VUCA environment, enhancing service innovation performance has become a crucial choice for enterprises striving for sustainable development. The emergence of digital transformation offers construction enterprises an opportunity to bolster their service innovation performance. However, effectively leveraging digital transformation for this purpose remains a formidable challenge. Therefore, this study proposes a theoretical model from the perspective of Resource-Based View, named “Digital Transformation-Dual Innovation-Service Innovation Performance”, to explore the impact of digital transformation on the service innovation performance of construction enterprises. This model proposes the impact path of digital transformation on service innovation performance, as well as a mediating role of dual innovation in this relationship. A questionnaire was designed and administered in China for collecting 291 valid responses. An analysis revealed that digital transformation exerts a positive impact on both dual innovation and service innovation performance, with the former proving to be more significant. Furthermore, dual innovation not only significantly enhances service innovation performance but also serves as a partial mediator between digital transformation and service innovation performance. The findings of this research clarify the internal mechanism by which digital transformation empowers service innovation in construction enterprises, offering insights for enhancing service innovation performance and achieving sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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14 pages, 2609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Blockchain-Enabled Construction and Demolition Waste Management: Advancing Information Management for Enhanced Sustainability and Efficiency

by Xiaozhi Ma, Hongping Yuan and Wenbo Du

Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020721 - 14 Jan 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1845

Abstract

The construction industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, primarily due to the generation of substantial construction and demolition waste. However, the current practices in construction and demolition waste management (CDWM) face various information management challenges that undermine their overall effectiveness. Correspondingly, this research proposes the integration of blockchain technology as a strategic solution to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CDWM. Despite the potential of blockchain in revolutionizing CDWM, research in this area remains limited. To address such a gap, this study adopts a design science action research methodology to integrate the use of blockchain technology into CDWM. Specifically, this study has creatively introduced the blockchain-based data supply chain to address the principal–agent problem in CDWM and develop a novel blockchain-enabled framework for CDWM. Additionally, a six-layer system architecture for the blockchain-based CDWM information system has been developed. This integration holds the promise of streamlining and empowering CDWM processes and thereby improving the administration and regulation of CDWM. Notably, the utilization of blockchain technology also presents an innovative opportunity for carbon reduction and offsetting within the construction industry. This research makes a substantial contribution to the field by introducing a novel approach to address information management challenges in CDWM, thereby promoting sustainable practices in the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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13 pages, 706 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Key Factors and Driving Mechanisms of Construction Waste Recycling Development in China: Combination of PEST Model and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis

by Jingru Li and Jinxiao Ji

Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16177; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316177 - 21 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1439

Abstract

The construction waste recycling (CWR) industry in China is still in the primary stage. Thus, exploring the driving mechanisms of its development has significant theoretical worth and practical significance. Existing studies mainly focused on identifying individual key factors, while paying limited attention to the synergistic effects of multiple factors. The aim of this study is to systematically identify the primary drivers of China’s CWR industry from a macro perspective and explore their conjunctional effect on the development of the CWR industry in China. Firstly, based on the PEST model, the key factors driving the development of the CWR industry were identified from political, economic, social, and technological aspects. Secondly, the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) approach was used to explore the causal relationship between the conjunction of these factors and the development level of the CWR industry. This study yields two interesting conclusions. The first is that none of the political, economic, social, and technological factors is a necessary condition. It means that the absence of any single factor will not restrict the development of the CWR industry. The second reveals two causal paths for the high-level development of the CWR industry, namely, the configuration of policy and social factors and the individual effect of economic factors. High-level development in the CWR industry can drive the sustainable development of the construction sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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27 pages, 2249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Decision-Making Support System for a Smart Construction and Demolition Waste Transition to a Circular Economy

by Prin Boonkanit and Kridchai Suthiluck

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9672; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129672 - 16 Jun 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1965

Abstract

This research work aimed to develop a decision support system (DSS) to select the most appropriate concrete waste management method, which is the most critical issue in the construction industry. The research process began with the study of the current situation of concrete waste management problems. Related theories and literature were reviewed, and experts were interviewed in depth. After that, the Delphi technique and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) were used to analyze the decision-making structure and consider factors related to the waste management methods. Then, the FAHP process was analyzed, calculated, and prioritized using MS Excel until the results were obtained. Finally, decision structures were shown, evaluated, and prioritized using a case study by a group of experts belonging to the Thai circular economy construction industry (CECI). The contribution of this research line in the DSS model is by analyzing, calculating, and finding the most appropriate alternative solution for the construction waste industry. Limitations, recommendations, and future research directions are also presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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16 pages, 1962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Implementation Framework for On-Site Shield Spoil Utilization—A Case Study of a Metro Project

by Fangsheng Yang, Taibo Cao, Tingrong Zhang, Junfeng Hu, Xinrui Wang, Zhikun Ding and Zezhou Wu

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9304; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129304 - 8 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1336

Abstract

A majority of metro projects have been constructed to reduce urban traffic congestion and to improve the convenience of public transportation, but these projects also produced a significant amount of engineering slag and mud. The shield construction method could improve the efficiency and safety; this technique has been frequently used in tunnel excavation projects. However, the spoil produced during the shield construction is challenging to deal with. In literature, though there has been an increasing number of studies on the technologies of utilizing shield spoil, the on-site utilization of shield spoil is still a subject of little research. This study introduced an implementation framework for the on-site utilization of shield spoil based on successful case experiences. It aims to assist project managers in efficiently implementing on-site resource utilization projects and to address the gaps in the relevant field. A case study was conducted in the Shenzhen Metro Line 13 North Extension Project; this study collected data through six semi-structured interviews and field research, analyzed the data, and constructed a framework using thematic analysis and focus group discussions. The three components of the implementation framework are project planning, project construction, and project closing, and each section describes what must be accomplished during that phase. Additionally, three recommendations—(1) combining intelligent technology to optimize the existing equipment, (2) utilizing lean technology in project execution, (3) establishing strategic partnerships with construction waste recycling enterprises—are also made for the development of the shield spoil utilization project. This study uses the Shenzhen Metro Line 13 North Extension Project as a model to theoretically underpin future research on shielding spoil on-site during resource utilization projects and to achieve the repeatable promotion of shield spoil utilization technology in Shenzhen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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15 pages, 3744 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics and Resource Recovery Strategies of Solid Waste in Sewerage Systems

by Xiaohui Sun, Junpei He, Wei Lv, Silin Wu, Yongshen Peng, Yuansheng Peng, Jianbo Fei and Zezhou Wu

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1662; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021662 - 14 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2158

Abstract

Sewerage systems-related solid waste accumulates in considerable quantities in urban water systems, including rainwater drainage pipes, pumping stations, grease traps, grit chambers, and septic tanks. Traditional management methods, such as sanitary landfilling, incineration, and composting, not only endanger the environment but also consume a significant amount of land. To address this problem, a variety of waste was collected from a terminal and different facilities in sewerage systems, and the characteristics of solid waste were tested and analyzed. The corresponding appropriate approaches to resource recovery strategies were proposed in detail. The solid waste in the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) contains low organic matter content and a certain quantity of heavy metals, making recycling difficult. Before the solid waste enters the WWTP, the strategy of pre-sorting, treating, and recycling the solid waste is worth recommending. The waste was divided into three categories based on its nature, and corresponding resource utilization strategies were proposed. A small part of solid waste that is not suitable for pre-recycling can be discharged normally and enter the WWTP for treatment. This paper provides a scientific basis for the green resource utilization of solid waste in the field of sewerage systems in developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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16 pages, 1757 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Dust Abatement Costs in Construction Demolition Projects

by Wei Liu, Zhuan He, Huapeng Chen, Cheng Lin and Zeyi Qiu

Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5965; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105965 - 14 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1792

Abstract

Dust pollution arising out of building demolition has serious health implications on workers, as well as the neighboring communities. Existing research has shown that regulatory and engineering control methods are the most popular for dust pollution control on demolition sites. Though engineering control methods are effective in suppressing dust pollution, they have enormous cost implications for demolition companies. Therefore, accurate prediction of dust treatment costs is an important element of the demolition planning process. However, very little information is available in the existing research about treatment costs. In addition, there has not been any attempt to develop a model which can accurately predict the cost of dust treatment during building demolition. To overcome this knowledge gap, a grey prediction model is built according to the information obtained from twenty previous demolition projects. The historical trend of demolition project cost is combined to establish the prediction model based on GM (1, 1), which can be used to obtain the dust treatment cost of a project with very high accuracy. To further improve the prediction accuracy, this paper also builds a Single Function Residual Identifiability (SFRI) model. The relative error between the actual and predicted dust treatment costs from 2013 to 2021 ranges from 0.003% to 0.077%. Through detailed assessment of various treatment measures using a case study, it was found that the results obtained by the prediction model are very close to the actual costs incurred, which verifies the accuracy of the proposed model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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16 pages, 4130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Techno-Economic Feasibility for Excavated Soil Recycling in Shenzhen, China

by Tong Huang, Shicong Kou, Deyou Liu, Dawang Li and Feng Xing

Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 3028; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14053028 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2698

Abstract

The existing recycling chain of construction and demolition waste generally considers soil inert solid waste to be sent to landfills. As the most significant component of C&D (construction and demolition) waste, excavated soil occupies approximately half of landfills. Currently, excavated soil is a big issue in China’s Pearl River Delta. This paper investigated the composition and quantity of excavated soil in Shenzhen, China. In particular, the potential market demand for critical recycled sand (a key recycled material extracted from the excavated soil) was estimated. Furthermore, the technical analysis for excavated soil recycling takes an entire excavated soil recycling process’s perspective, delving into the process flow for the excavated soil and the recycled sand’s physicomechanical properties. Then, two mainstream and legitimate models of excavated soil recycling were considered: stationary plant recycling and on-site recycling. Each model’s financial and economic viability was assessed. The financial analysis focuses on investors’ perspectives, whose primary goal is to assess their investment profitability. The economic feasibility of the excavated soil stationary plant recycling and on-site recycling models in Shenzhen were then compared via benefit and cost analysis during the lifetime of the recycling equipment. A comprehensive, complete cost calculation and investment analysis revealed that Shenzhen’s excavated soil recycling business is profitable under the current market conditions. This study investigates scaled and effective excavated soil recycling and gives a technically and economically viable reference to the global excavated soil issue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Construction and Demolition Waste Management for Carbon Neutrality)

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