An empirical assessment of material waste drivers and sustainability strategies in Egypt’s construction sector

Abstract Material waste in construction is a major global issue with environmental, economic, and social impacts. In Egypt, this problem is more severe due to rapid urban growth and inefficient practices. Despite growing awareness of sustainability, practical implementation remains limited. An evidence-based assessment is needed to support sustainability and optimize resources. A questionnaire was sent to 250 construction professionals in Egypt, with 113 responses, covering (1) 42 causes of material waste in seven categories, and (2) sustainable practices like waste reduction and resource management. Statistical analysis identified key causes such as lack of skilled labor, poor site layout, negligence, communication issues, and weather. Top sustainable practices included waste auditing, efficient resource use, site waste management plans, eco-design, and quality control. Economically, “Reduce” was preferred (39.8%), while environmentally “Recycle” led (58.4%). These findings provide practical guidance for stakeholders in Egyptian construction practices and policy, including enhancing workforce training, enforcing strict supervision, fostering proactive design coordination, and integrating data-driven waste tracking systems. They also highlight the urgent need for structured policy reforms, such as mandating Site Waste Management Plans and adopting BIM for early-stage waste prediction. Collaboration between public and private sectors is also vital for moving toward a circular economy.