New Research on Potential of AI to Reduce Construction Waste

By Fay Harvey 

NEWCASTLE, U.K. — Researchers at England’s Northumbria University are finding a new role for artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction sector.  

Pablo Martinez Rodriguez, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, and Osama Mohsen, Ph.D., assistant professor at King Fahd University in Saudi Arabia, are examining how AI can be integrated into construction processes to reduce landfill dependency, emphasize a circular economy and promote recycling. AI models will both identify and quantify building materials that can be recycled instead of discarded, such as wood or plastic. Rodriguez and Mohsen will conduct their research in the UK and Saudi Arabia, but aim to have a global impact. 

“Sustainable construction is essential for addressing global environmental challenges,” said Rodriguez in a statement. “Our research harnesses AI to precisely track waste generation, optimize resource usage, and provide construction managers with real-time, data-driven insights to enhance waste management efficiency.” 

At most construction sites, waste analysis typically happens through modeling techniques rather than precise measuring, according to Rodriguez in a statement. The research’s new key performance indicators (KPIs) will offer a more flexible and quicker alternative to collecting waste data using visual sensors that can monitor skips and calculate material with greater accuracy.  

Additionally, the research aims to create best practices within the industry by implementing new guidelines and creating a policy framework for the eastern hemisphere and beyond. 

“This would give a value to the waste that is being generated at construction sites and help us better understand the capabilities of circular economy, so that the building industry can become more sustainable,” Rodriguez added in a statement. 

In Europe, material that is discarded during the construction and demolition processes accounts for the region’s largest source of waste. Similarly, the UK’s construction-related waste accounts for 62% of the country’s total waste products. Though attempts are often made to intercept and recover material, most construction waste is either discarded or repurposed into low-grade applications. By streamlining construction consumption through the new AI model, the U.K. will be closer to reaching 2030 sustainability goals regarding consumption and production. 

Thanks to the Horizon Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions call from the European Commission, an annual program where researchers receive support for projects across various disciplines, the effort has secured £250,000 of research funding. When concluded, the study’s findings and recommendations will be shared with industry leaders, sustainability advocates and policymakers to spark change in the construction waste management sphere. 

“By promoting circular economy principles, we aim to catalyze a global shift toward sustainable construction practices,” said Rodriguez in a statement. “This research will not only benefit the U.K. and European Union but also set a benchmark for responsible construction worldwide.”