At this year’s International Conference on Building Science, Technology and Sustainability (ICBSTS25) in Nagoya, Japan, Dr Angel Jimenez-Aranda, Associate Professor in Digital Transformation at the University of Salford, played a central role as Programme Chair of the conference. He also presented his latest research on one of construction’s biggest challenges: waste management. His presentation was recognised with the ‘best presentation’ award in the Building Information Technology category.
When people talk about sustainable construction, the focus is often on cutting carbon emissions or reducing energy use. But waste is just as critical. Construction and demolition activities are estimated to create about one-third of the world’s waste and at least 40% of global CO₂ emissions. As Angel explained, tackling waste head-on is essential if the sector is serious about sustainability.
The Reconmatic project
Angel is part of Reconmatic, a four-year project funded by UK Research and Innovation and Horizon Europe. The project brings together 23 partners from across Europe, all working to improve how the industry manages waste throughout the building lifecycle.
One of the project’s key outputs is WASTEie, a new digital standard designed to capture waste-related data and information on material recycling. While the existing Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) standard is widely used in construction, it doesn’t include enough detail to properly measure circularity. WASTEie fills that gap and has been added to the buildingSMART data dictionary so it works seamlessly with current digital frameworks.
From research to practice
This work is already being put into practice through SmartScan, a tool that makes product information easier to access in the construction sector. By using SmartScan, designers, engineers and contractors can take waste into account right from the early stages of a project. That means better planning, easier compliance, and more sustainable decisions across the supply chain.
Angel summed it up during his presentation: “If we want a sustainable built environment, waste can’t be treated as an afterthought. With WASTEie and SmartScan, we are giving the industry the tools it needs to embed circularity into everyday practice.”
Looking ahead
The project shows how digital innovation can support real change in construction. By creating shared standards and practical tools, Reconmatic is helping the sector move towards a circular economy, where resources are used efficiently, waste is minimised, and sustainability becomes part of the industry’s culture.
