A Comprehensive Evaluation of Waste-Derived Materials for Sustainable Construction Practices

In response to growing environmental concerns and the imperative for sustainable development in the construction industry, this study offers a comprehensive assessment of waste-derived materials aimed at advancing sustainable building practices. A survey involving 100 professionals from diverse sectors within construction—including civil engineers, architects, construction managers, environmental consultants, materials scientists, and sustainability experts—was conducted to evaluate nine waste-derived materials across ten critical sustainability metrics. Materials such as Recycled Plastic, Papercrete, Fly Ash, and Blast Furnace Slag were examined for their performance in essential areas such as cost reduction, environmental impact reduction, material strength, availability, ease of use, durability, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, aesthetic value, and energy efficiency. Through a structured questionnaire, participants provided detailed insights based on their expertise and experiences with these materials. The collected data underwent rigorous analysis, utilizing statistical measures such as means, standard deviations, variances, and ranges to summarize and compare each material's performance across the metrics. These results were further visualized using comparative tables, radar charts, heatmaps, and statistical summaries to provide a comprehensive understanding of each material's strengths and weaknesses. Key findings highlight Recycled Plastic and Papercrete as top performers, excelling particularly in environmental impact reduction, energy efficiency, and economic feasibility. These materials exhibit substantial potential to contribute significantly to sustainable construction by reducing carbon footprints, enhancing energy savings, and improving overall building performance. Conversely, materials like Construction and Demolition Waste show varying performance, suggesting opportunities for innovation and enhancement in their application. By offering a detailed analysis of waste-derived materials and their sustainability attributes, this study aims to guide stakeholders—ranging from policymakers to industry professionals and researchers—towards informed decisions that promote environmental stewardship and economic resilience in construction practices.