German study identifies major construction waste cuts on sites

Researchers at Technische Universität Braunschweig, supported by the Bundesinstitut für Bau‑, Stadt‑ und Raumforschung (BBSR), analysed ten German construction sites to quantify waste from typical high‑rise building components. The study measured waste generated by dry‑wall panels, hollow‑floor systems and heating/cooling ceiling modules. For heating and cooling ceilings, waste reached 785 kg per 100 m², with 760 kg attributable to packaging, while dry‑wall panels produced 405 kg of waste, mainly off‑cuts. Hollow‑floor systems generated the least waste at 158 kg per 100 m².

The researchers identified the primary waste drivers as excessive ordering, unnecessary packaging, transport damage, improper storage and execution errors, most of which occur before construction begins. They recommend improved planning, material procurement and site logistics, as well as manufacturer take‑back schemes, to cut material costs, disposal effort and CO₂ emissions.

BBSR expert Daniel Wöffen emphasized that manufacturers should provide return systems to reuse transport and packaging materials and recycle residual building products, highlighting the industry's responsibility to reduce waste.