A Comparative Analysis of Poland, Ukraine, and Nigeria Construction and Demolition Waste Management Legislation

Emerging economies like Poland experienced a sharp increase in the construction sector while war-ravaged Ukraine required the urgency to reconstruct their nation, and developing nations like Nigeria had a high demand for housing to meet their teeming populations. Considering the growth rate in construction activities in these nations, the volume of construction demolition and waste (CDW) will be on the rise. Hence, this study compares the various legislative frameworks regarding construction demolition and waste management (CDWM) in the three nations by focusing on policy enforcement, stakeholder involvement, infrastructure, and innovation. The results show Nigeria has a basic legislative framework with different implementation and infrastructural challenges. On the other hand, Poland has a comprehensive framework and advanced infrastructure with a great commitment to sustainable waste management, while Ukraine is in the developmental stage of enhancing its CDWM practices. The countries have unique opportunities to improve their CDWM practices through planning, stakeholder involvement, and support from international organizations focusing on best practices. Through this comparative analysis, the government of nations, and stakeholders (investors and professionals) can review and improve their CDWM policies through international collaboration and move toward a sustainable approach.