The study develops a comprehensive understanding of construction and demolition waste management (CDWM) policies by addressing fragmented nature of existing research that lacks a holistic, multi-country perspective encompassing all policy dimensions. Using developed thematic categories, it conducts comprehensive policy analysis of five major economies representing diverse socio-economic and technological contexts. The study generates global insights and formulates actionable strategies for evidence-based CDWM policymaking and circular economy advancement.
Thematic analysis was employed to identify key CDWM policy themes/subthemes, followed by policy analysis across selected countries (India, China, USA, Japan and Germany) for developed themes to uncover global insights and policy strategies. Research rigor was ensured through inter-coder reliability, diverse data sources, data saturation and PRISMA-based selection procedure.
Findings reveal that CDWM policies constitute a multi-dimensional framework integrating regulatory, technical, economic, and capacity-building aspects. The identified key themes/subthemes provide structured approach for analysing policies and benchmarking practices. The study outlines key policy strategies across selected countries for strengthening CDWM. Together, the developed themes/subthemes and policy action plan serve as practical tool to identify critical areas and design context-specific recommendations.
By addressing the absence of holistic, multi-country analysis, this study enhances systematic understanding of CDWM policy instruments and their scopes. It identifies key policy themes and formulates strategies across policy dimensions, delivering integrative insights for countries seeking to strengthen CDWM. Furthermore, the adopted methodology provides robust approach for policy analysis.
