An Integrated Framework for Demolition Optimization and Material Recycling: A Strategy for Environmental Protection and Construction Sustainability

Abstract

The construction industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices for Demolition Waste Management (DWM) from a life-cycle perspective. Traditional approaches are failing, necessitating a sophisticated assessment framework to handle multifaceted sustainability criteria. This paper proposes an integrated framework based on Building Information Modeling (BIM) designed to facilitate comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The system functions by coupling an enriched data model with hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Aiding (MCDA) methods. A pilot study validating this framework yielded definitive results: the optimal DWM scenario, characterized by the highest material recycling rate, achieved a sustainability score of 91.63. In stark contrast, a "status quo" scenario, reflecting current industry practices, registered a score of only 8.37. This demonstrates a clear correlation between recycling rates and quantifiable sustainability. However, the analysis also reveals a flattening "growth curve," suggesting that increasing recycling rates beyond a certain threshold yields diminishing returns in sustainability scores, pointing toward an optimum point for cost-efficiency. This research establishes a clear path for integrating digital technologies like BIM with carbon strategies and phase-based planning. Adopting such a framework is a critical step toward accelerating the industry's transition to a circular economy, thereby supporting key global objectives such as SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).