Abstract: While concrete recycling is crucial to protecting the environment, its implementation in
practice is low in many countries. This study aims to highlight challenges to concrete recycling. To
achieve that aim, the study objectives are (1) to identify the main challenges to concrete recycling in
construction projects; (2) to compare the main challenges between small–medium enterprises (SMEs)
and large enterprises (LEs); and (3) to determine the underlying groups among the main challenges.
Potential challenges were identified through a systematic literature review of journal articles and
semi-structured interviews with fifteen industry practitioners. Then, the identified challenges were
inserted into a questionnaire survey and distributed to industry practitioners. Eighty-nine valid
responses were collected and analyzed using the mean score ranking, normalization, agreement
analysis, and factor analysis techniques. The analyses show thirteen main challenges to concrete
recycling. The main challenges include increased project duration, lack of national programs, lack
of comprehensive rules and regulations, increased project cost, low demand for recycled concrete,
low cost-effectiveness of concrete recycling, and increased transportation cost. However, there is
no consensus on the criticality between SMEs and LEs. For example, increased project cost is the
main challenge for SMEs but is only middlingly ranked for LEs. Finally, the main challenges can
be categorized into three interrelated groups: people and technical, legal and environmental, and
economic challenges. This study contributes to the literature by analyzing challenges that hinder
concrete recycling in practice. The findings allow researchers and practitioners to develop strategies
to reduce concrete recycling rejection.
The construction sector is crucial to any country’s socioeconomic progress [1]. The construction sector is experiencing rapid growth due to rising living standards, increased demand for infrastructure projects, shifting shopping habits, and natural population growth.
As a result of this advancement, concrete output has increased significantly during the
construction and demolition stages [2]. Consequently, concrete waste has evolved into a
global environmental hazard that necessitates a rapid response. Concrete waste that is not
properly disposed of can be harmful to the environment. As a result, concrete waste is
a source of pollution that, if not managed properly, can become a major problem in any
country [3]. Since concrete waste is seen as having little or no value, contractors may opt
to dispose of it in landfills rather than recycling facilities. Furthermore, contractors and
project owners may suffer additional costs as a result of managing concrete waste. In this
context, treating concrete waste is no longer an option; rather, it is required.
Concrete recycling, which involves transforming concrete waste into recycled aggregates, is one of the most successful methods of managing concrete waste [4]. Moreover,
concrete recycling is a must-do practice for reducing concrete waste’s environmental impact [2]. In other words, concrete recycling has immense potential [5]. As a result of the
numerous advantages of concrete recycling, several governments, particularly in developed nations, have begun to mandate it. In comparison, our global concrete recycling rate
remains low at approximately 5% [5]. Specifically, this rate is common in developing countries [6]. One probable explanation is that countries with abundant natural resources and
many landfill areas are unwilling to use recycled materials. Furthermore, the dynamism
of construction operations impacts the efficiency of concrete recycling in construction
projects [7]. Therefore, to encourage concrete recycling, it is important to understand the
challenges that prevent it from successfully implementing in construction projects.
This study aims to highlight challenges to concrete recycling in construction projects.
To achieve that aim, the study objectives are (1) to identify the main challenges to concrete
recycling in construction projects; (2) to compare the main challenges between organization sizes; and (3) to determine the underlying relationships among the main challenges.
Achieving these objectives allows the study to provide several novel outputs, including
a list of main challenges to concrete recycling. Additionally, any significant difference in
the criticality between organization sizes is provided. Finally, the study illustrates the
root cause of concrete recycling. These outputs contribute to the construction and environmental management body of knowledge by providing a better understanding of the main
challenges that hinder concrete recycling in practice.
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