Construction and demolition waste management in Iraq: quantification, analysis, and policy recommendations for sustainable development

This doctoral thesis analyzes Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) in Iraq, focusing on generation rates, costs, and regulatory gaps. Using field measurements in Diwaniyah City and national statistical data, the study found average waste generation of 58.23 kg/m² for construction and 439.50 kg/m² for demolition activities. Inert materials—mainly concrete, sand, brick, and gravel—constitute approximately 94% of total CDW by weight. Transportation accounts for about 17.33% of total management costs, with average transport expenses of 3,759 IQD/m³ (≈2.87 USD/m³). Disposal fees remain minimal due to the absence of formal landfill charging systems. At the national level, CDW generation reached 135.34 kg/capita·year in 2022 and is projected to increase to 430.66 kg/capita·year by 2050 without mitigation measures. The study highlights weak legislation, limited recycling infrastructure, and low institutional capacity, and recommends establishing a national CDW strategy, regional recycling facilities, on-site waste separation, and stronger regulatory enforcement to support sustainable waste management.