Environmental sustainability factors in construction waste recycling: A systematic review

Salim Alkhanbashi; Hamad Rashid

doi:10.2478/otmcj-2026-0010

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Environmental sustainability factors in construction waste recycling: A systematic review

Organization, Technology and Management in Construction: an International Journal

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Salim Alkhanbashi and Hamad Rashid

Open Access

|Nov 2026

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Abstract

The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to global waste production, significantly impacting environmental sustainability (ES). This research explores the challenges and opportunities associated with construction and demolition (CnD) waste management across various international contexts. The study reviews waste management practices in different countries, analysing waste generation volumes and the strategies employed to mitigate their impact. Additionally, it examines emerging ES factors in construction waste recycling, emphasising waste stream identification, target reduction rates and best practices to minimise the ecological footprint. The key factors identified in this study include waste reduction (WR), regulations and compliance, environment-oriented human perception (EOHP), recycling infrastructure (RI), resource conservation (RC), carbon emissions reduction (CER), waste diversion (WD), community engagement (CE) and the overall environmental sustainability of construction waste recycling (ESCWM). These insights aim to enhance sustainable waste management practices and support the development of effective environmental policies.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/otmcj-2026-0010 | Journal eISSN: 1847-6228 | Journal ISSN: 1847-5450

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Language: English

Page range: 150 - 171

Submitted on: Dec 26, 2025

Accepted on: Jul 21, 2026

Published on: Nov 2, 2026

Published by: University of Zagreb

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

Keywords:

environmental sustainability,

construction and demolition waste,

waste recycling,

waste management,

recycling infrastructure,

resource conservation,

carbon emissions reduction

Related subjects:

Engineering,

Introductions and overviews,

Engineering, other

© 2026 Salim Alkhanbashi, Hamad Rashid, published by University of Zagreb
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 18 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)