Contemporary Issues in Construction Wastes Management in Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Construction waste poses significant environmental, social, and economic challenges to sustainable development globally. This study examined the contemporary issues in construction waste management in Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, with emphasis on types, volume, and management practices of construction and demolition wastes. A mixed-methods design was employed, drawing data from both primary sources; questionnaire, interviews, and field observations and secondary records from construction firms and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board. Seven major construction companies were purposively selected, and 382 professionals were sampled. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, including ANOVA, Z-score, and Principal Component Analysis, were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that mixed sand, concrete, bricks/blocks, and wood are the most prevalent waste types, while average annual waste generation between 2000 and 2022 showed a declining trend. Material reuse on-site, on-time delivery, and avoidance of over-ordering were the most common waste-management strategies, whereas energy recovery and recycling were rarely practiced. Principal Component Analysis identified three main constraints; environmental negligence (32.93%), knowledge gaps (30.58%), and cost factors (21.58%) explaining 85.09% of management challenges. The study concludes that sustainable waste management in Abuja’s construction sector requires enhanced environmental awareness, technical training, and economic incentives to promote circular economy practices.