Quantifying and characterizing construction waste for effective management in Mekelle, Ethiopia

Abstract The construction industry in Ethiopia faces significant challenges due to inadequate waste management legislation. Particularly in Mekelle City. This study aimed to identify major sources, quantify and characterize construction wastes and analyze illegal dumping sites to promote sustainable urban waste management. Data were collected through Pyramidal and rectangular prism measurements, material flow method, questionnaire survey, field observation and secondary sources. Survey responses were analyzed by using SPSS software. Findings reveal 5,161,585 m 3 illegally disposed construction wastes composed of soil, stone, ceramics, blocks, tiles, concrete, asphalt, wood, masonry, metal, plastics, packaging, and pipes, with barriers to recycling include a Lack of recycling technology, high cost, insufficient incentives, and limited knowledge. The most preferred waste management methods are reuse (50.9%), reduce (16.4%), and disposal (16.4%), with key minimization strategies Proper storage and material handling, standardization of design, on-site segregation, and Reuse yielding Relative Importance Index (RII) values 0.89, 0.8, 0.79, 0.78, respectively. However, inadequate strategies contribute to uncontrolled waste disposal in sensitive areas such as grazing lands, water bodies, roads, and residential areas, causing environmental harm. Prior to this study, the quantification and characterization of construction waste in Mekelle had not been studied. This study addresses the quantity, characteristics, and employed waste management methods to enhance the reduction, reusing, and recycling practices within the construction industry, insight urban waste management, and ensure sustainable environment. This study recommends promoting reduce, reuse, and recycle (3Rs), enforcing legal robust framework, and fostering a change in the mindset of construction companies to improve sustainability of waste management.