Effectiveness of integrated waste minimisation strategies in high-rise residential construction projects

Construction waste has become a significant sustainability concern in fast-growing Indian cities, especially in high-rise residential projects characterised by intensive material flows. This study conducted a comparative analysis of material waste across the various stages of eight high-rise residential projects in Bengaluru, India. Four of the projects followed the conventional method, while the remaining four used an efficient method to reduce material waste. The material usage and generation were recorded for seven phases, each lasting two months, both quantitatively and qualitatively, using data and observations. Additionally, Relative Reduction (RR) values were calculated to assess the effectiveness of the implemented interventions by comparing the projected values for the baseline scenarios of uncontrolled and controlled projects. Uncontrolled projects exhibited an average wastage growth of 23% and negative RR values (− 4.48% to − 9.15%), indicating a deterioration in waste management performance. At the same time, the sites implementing waste control measures demonstrated waste stability or reduction, with RR values of 7–13%, due to improvements in site supervision, material storage, batch extraction accuracy, and control of material issues. Material-wise analysis further supported the reduction in waste under controlled conditions. The benchmarking system developed in this research will provide practical support for waste tracking and remedial actions. The study demonstrates, using data, that low-cost, straightforward process interventions can substantially increase the effectiveness of resource use in achieving SDG 11.6 and SDG 12.5.