Life Cycle Environmental Impact and Cost Assessment of Waste Management Practices on Selected Construction Sites in Morgan State University, MD

The construction activities at Morgan State University (MSU) produce a substantial amount of waste, such as concrete, wood, drywall, asphalt, and metal. However, poor attention is directed to managing these waste streams; most of them end up in landfills because of the low operational costs and convenience associated with landfilling. This approach is environmentally unsustainable, while also stripping away potential economic opportunities, compromising the university’s green campus initiatives, and revealing a lack of systematic infrastructure that integrates sustainable practices. This study investigates the life cycle environmental and cost implications of construction waste management strategies of MSU. It employs a mixed-methods design utilizing survey data collected from construction professionals, literature, and case study analysis. To assess the current practices of landfilling, reusing, and recycling waste, a life cycle approach was used. Results indicate that while landfilling is the most common practice because it is cheap, it has the greatest risk to the environment in the long run. Material reuse and recycling on the other hand, offer more sustainable and economically beneficial alternatives. This study suggests the integration of life cycle approaches in conjunction with policy changes to enhance considerate waste management policies towards sustainable campus development.