Bridging the Digital Gap in Construction Waste: Introducing Our Digital Information Management System (DIMS)

This article was written by Ali Saad, BE, MSc, PhD Candidate at the University of Salford, a partner organisation in the RECONMATIC project.

The construction industry is one of the largest global producers of waste, yet remains one of the slowest sectors to adopt digital technologies that could curb this problem. Every year, millions of tonnes of construction and demolition waste (CDW) end up in landfills, contributing to resource depletion and environmental degradation. While many stakeholders agree on the importance of moving toward a Circular Economy (CE), the tools needed to track, manage, and reuse construction materials throughout a project’s life cycle remain fragmented or underdeveloped.

That’s where our Digital Information Management System (DIMS) comes in.

What Is DIMS?

DIMS is a conceptual digital framework developed through rigorous academic research as part of the Horizon Europe RECONMATIC project. It integrates cutting-edge Industry 4.0 technologies—including Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Product Passports (DPPs), and Unique Identification Codes (UIDs)—to track material and waste flows in real time across the construction life cycle.

From design to demolition, DIMS aims to enable data-driven decisions that reduce waste, improve material reuse, and promote transparency among all stakeholders.

Why Do We Need DIMS?

Current construction waste management practices often suffer from:

• Lack of lifecycle visibility of materials and products

• Poor stakeholder coordination

• Inconsistent data collection and reporting

• Fragmented digital systems that do not communicate

  
  

DIMS addresses these issues by serving as a centralised digital backbone that connects data from multiple phases and parties. This enables smarter, real-time tracking of construction products and waste using a standardised, interoperable platform.

How Does DIMS Work?

The system is built around four key project phases:

1. Design Phase

• BIM is used to model standardised components, linked with QR codes, barcodes or RFID tags.

• Materials are assigned UIDs following GS1 standards, enabling traceability from the very start.

• The framework promotes DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) and material standardisation for better planning and waste prediction.

  
  

2. Construction Phase

• On-site materials are scanned and tracked using their digital identities.

• Smart waste containers, equipped with sensors, record waste type, volume, and source in real time.

• DPPs and Building Logbooks store critical material information, supporting compliance and reuse strategies.

  
  

3. Operation Phase

• The updated BIM model evolves into a Digital Twin, receiving real-time data from IoT sensors.

• Waste from maintenance or renovation activities is logged through the same system, ensuring lifecycle continuity.

  
  

4. End-of-Life Phase

• A pre-demolition audit is conducted using the BIM model and digital passports.

• Components suitable for reuse or recycling are flagged and separated.

• Robotics and AI assist in off-site waste sorting, while DIMS collects final waste data for reporting and analysis.

  
  

Co-Created With the Industry

DIMS was not developed in isolation. Through semi-structured interviews with 19 construction experts, the framework was co-created to reflect the real challenges, needs, and priorities of practitioners. From BIM managers and sustainability officers to digitalisation consultants and waste contractors, stakeholders provided insights that directly shaped the framework’s structure and functionality.

What Makes DIMS Unique?

• Lifecycle Integration: Tracks materials from design to demolition

• Real-Time Data: Powered by IoT, smart containers, and AI-based processing

• Standards-Based: Aligns with GS1, European Waste Codes, and aims for ISO 19650 compatibility

• Stakeholder-Centric: Defines clear roles and data responsibilities for each actor involved

• Circular Economy Ready: Supports reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency targets

What’s Next?

The conceptual framework lays the foundation for the DIMS platform that will be developed and piloted by the RECONMATIC project. The next step involves aligning the system with ISO 19650 standards, validating it with industry partners, and building a user-friendly interface for wide adoption.

Final Thoughts

The future of sustainable construction depends on our ability to connect data, people, and processes. DIMS represents a bold step forward in that direction—bridging the digital gap between fragmented systems and unlocking new possibilities for resource-efficient, circular building practices.

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🔔Our partners from the University of Salford, Ali Saad and Vahid Babaveisi, will be presenting at Digital Construction Week at London ExCeL on 5th June. Don’t miss the chance to hear more about their work within the RECONMATIC project!

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