Evaluation of Construction Waste Management Process of Residential Complex Projects: A Case Study of Erbil Governorate

Abstract

Construction projects are major contributors to environmental degradation, as they generate substantial quantities of waste, intensively consume natural resources, and accelerate resource depletion. This study examines the key factors influencing construction waste generation from a professional perspective. Specifically, it identifies the types and sources of waste produced during the construction of residential complexes in the Erbil Governorate and evaluates the prevailing waste disposal practices. A questionnaire survey was administered to 150 professionals, covering 54 factors categorized into seven major groups, distributed among relevant stakeholders. The analysis revealed that management-related factors represent the most significant contributors to waste generation, followed sequentially by material-handling practices, worker-related issues, and design deficiencies. Ten factors were classified between the categories of “most important” and “very important.” The most influential waste-generating factors included inadequate planning, inappropriate material storage methods, poor site management, absence of waste management plans, insufficient control and supervision, construction errors, inefficient unloading practices, design changes, and material damage caused by workers. Findings further demonstrated that no formal waste management strategies are currently implemented in residential complex projects. Instead, construction waste is often disposed of illegally in remote areas without consideration of environmental impacts. The study emphasizes the urgent need for the enforcement of regulatory frameworks by Erbil city authorities to ensure the sustainable management of construction waste, thereby mitigating environmental pollution and promoting resource efficiency.