Analyzing the Quantity and Cost of theWaste Generated in Construction Projects in Iraq

Abstract

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) is a major issue worldwide due to quickly increasing construction projects and their waste, which needs much effort to manage. It is also one of the commonest causes that harm the environment and requires huge landfill areas. This study analyzes the CDW produced in three different buildings in Diwaniyah city (Iraq), named A, B, and C, with 600, 1200, and 1320 m2 respectively. The quantity of waste produced during their construction and the cost associated with removing this waste was determined. It was concluded that 173, 262, and 264 m3 of CDW were generated in these buildings, with an average generation of 0.29, 0.22, and 0.2 m3/m2, both respectively. Increasing the building size decreased the average waste volume generated from buildings due to the huge amount of waste generated from excavation and demolition work. The average cost to remove waste was respectively 0.87, 0.63, and 0.54 US$/m2. This also shows that the bigger the total floor area, the lower the cost of removing waste. Similarly, the average cost of CDW waste removal per cubic meter slightly lowered to 3.03, 2.88, and 2.69 US$/m3, respectively. The waste produced from demolition and excavation for foundations was 60–70% of the total generated waste.