Northumbria University is leading pioneering research to enhance sustainability in the construction industry by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and innovative waste management strategies.
The research has secured £250,000 of funding from the latest Horizon MSCA call from the European Commission and aims to improve waste recycling efficiency, reduce landfill dependency, and promote circular economy principles in the UK and beyond. It is being led by Dr Pablo Martinez Rodriguez from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria.
Construction waste (CW) is a pressing environmental challenge, with construction, demolition, and excavation waste accounting for 62% of the UK’s total waste — equivalent to 137.8 million tonnes.
Across the European Union (EU), construction and demolition waste is the largest waste stream, amounting to 374 million tonnes. Despite high recovery rates, much of this waste is either landfilled or repurposed in low-grade applications, underscoring the need for more effective recycling and resource utilisation.
Dr Martinez, a leading researcher in sustainable construction, highlighted the significance of the project: “Sustainable construction is essential for addressing global environmental challenges. Our research harnesses AI to precisely track waste generation, optimise resource usage, and provide construction managers with real-time, data-driven insights to enhance waste management efficiency.”
The project will develop advanced AI-driven decision-support systems to help construction managers identify waste generation points, implement effective handling strategies, and assess project sustainability through new key performance indicators (KPIs). These KPIs will measure waste handling efficiency, resource utilisation, and adherence to sustainable practices.
Callum Thompson, CEO of Business Energy Claims, said: “This is an exciting development for the construction sector and BEC — and our sister firm Green Zone Surveys — is keen to stay on top of moves to improve sustainability in the industry.
“I’m intrigued to see how Dr Rodriguez and the Northumbria University team are able to progress this technology and maximise the potential of AI.”