Towards automated construction for safe disposal of materials waste in the Egyptian construction industry

¹ Faculty of Engineering, the British University in Egypt (BUE), Cairo-Suez Desert Road, Al- Shorouk, 11837, Cairo, Egypt.
² Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Ash Sharqia, Egypt.

^* Corresponding author: Hassan.Reda@bue.edu.eg

Abstract

The solid waste management (SWM) represents one of the most important challenges worldwide in the current period. Also, it contributes to large negative effect on the three aspects of sustainability which are environmental, social and economic sustainability. Approximately 50% of total annual global generated solid waste (SW) is from construction and demolition waste (CDW). The case of CDW in Egypt has become a major challenge, and Egypt encounters many challenges that obstacle the way for development of efficient SWM especially towards ensuring safe disposal of CDW. This paper aims to investigate: (1) the rising problem related to SW in Egypt showing its main causes; (2) CDW percentages in greater Cairo; (3) the unsafe disposal of CDW waste in Egypt through reviewing most recent research papers; and (4) automation in construction techniques that were previously implemented for better CDW management (CDWM). Findings and recommendations of CDWM improvement in Egypt from this study are expected to encourage research on automated construction technique towards ensuring safe disposal of CDW in Egypt which would be of great effect towards improving sustainability levels in the Egyptian construction sector.