From waste to treasure: transforming construction waste into concrete masonry blocks: challenges and solutions for environmental sustainability in emerging economies

Purpose Harnessing construction waste into concrete masonry blocks (CMBs) is getting significant attention as a sustainable solution in the construction industry, particularly in emerging economies. However, various challenges impede the effective implementation of this approach. To increase its adoption, it is critical to identify and prioritize strategies that address these challenges. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the significant challenges and rank strategies for promoting the use of construction waste in CMBs. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes a fuzzy-based multi-criteria decision-making MCDM framework comprising the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and identifies 6 primary challenges, 24 sub-challenges, and 16 solutions. Findings FAHP analysis reveals the most critical governmental, technological, and organizational challenges. FTOPSIS ranks industry collaboration (S9), technological innovation (S4), and training and development (S7) as the most effective strategies to overcome identified challenges. Originality/value This study’s novelty lies in its unique integration of FAHP and FTOPSIS for prioritizing and resolving key challenges, offering a data-driven roadmap for sustainable construction practices. The findings contribute theoretical insights by extending MCDM applications within the sustainability and construction waste domains. Moreover, incorporating socio-cultural and governance-related factors expands the traditional boundaries of technical decision models, offering a comprehensive framework for future theoretical development in sustainable construction and resource recovery.