Construction waste as classified in the report includes materials from excavation, roadwork and demolition, as well as complex waste like plastics, metal, ceramic and cardboard. Making up more than half of the construction waste generated annually are building materials including wood, shingles, asphalt, concrete and gypsum. 

Construction material waste is one of the most difficult factors to control in construction projects of all sizes. The volume of construction waste generated worldwide every year, according to a report from Transparency Market Research, will nearly double to 2.2. billion tons by the year 2025, according to Construction & Demolition Recycling. When looking forward, global waste is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050, more than double population growth over the same period. 

Construction material waste is one of the most difficult factors to control in construction projects of all sizes. The volume of construction waste generated worldwide every year, according to a report from Transparency Market Research, will nearly double to 2.2. billion tons by the year 2025, according to Construction & Demolition Recycling. When looking forward, global waste is expected to grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050, more than double population growth over the same period. 

The East Asia and Pacific region is generating most of the world’s waste, at 23 percent, and the Middle East and North Africa region is producing the least in absolute terms, at 6 percent. However, the fastest growing regions are Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa, where, by 2050, total waste generation is expected to more than triple, double, and double respectively. In these regions, more than half of waste is currently openly dumped, and the trajectories of waste growth will have vast implications for the environment, health, and prosperity, thus requiring urgent action.

At present, 75% of construction waste in the EU is being landfilled, although over 80% recycling rates have been exceptionally achieved in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands

Although there isn’t a universal solution to solving the construction waste problem, many construction firms are finding innovative ways to reduce their contribution to the pileup.