Northumbria University has secured £250,000 from the European Commission to fund research into using AI to improve waste management in construction.
The project will develop AI-driven decision-support systems to help construction managers identify waste generation points, implement effective handling strategies, and assess project sustainability through new KPIs. These KPIs will measure waste handling efficiency, resource utilisation and adherence to sustainable practices.
Beyond technological advancements, the research will establish best practices, industry guidelines and policy frameworks to facilitate the adoption of sustainable construction methods. The project will emphasise materials reuse and designing buildings for disassembly and reassembly, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 to ensure responsible consumption and production.
Northumbria University noted that construction, demolition and excavation waste accounts for 62% of the UK’s total waste, equivalent to 137.8 million tonnes. Across the EU, construction and demolition waste is the largest waste stream, amounting to 374 million tonnes. Despite high recovery rates, much of this waste is either landfilled or repurposed in low-grade applications, underscoring the need for more effective recycling and resource utilisation.
The project is led by Dr Pablo Martinez Rodriguez from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria University. He said: “Sustainable construction is essential for addressing global environmental challenges. By promoting circular economy principles, we aim to catalyse a global shift toward sustainable construction practices. This research will not only benefit the UK and EU, but also set a benchmark for responsible construction worldwide.”
Findings and recommendations from the study will be shared with policymakers, industry leaders and sustainability advocates to drive change in construction waste management.
Last year, Dr Rodriguez was involved in research with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia to investigate how AI can tackle construction waste in the UK and Saudi.
Don’t miss out on BIM, information management and digital construction news: sign up to receive the BIMplus newsletter.
