Performance evaluation of reverse logistics maturity level and its influence on construction sustainability and C&D waste reduction: insights from Pakistan’s construction sector

Abstract

Despite mounting global attention toward sustainable construction, reverse logistics (RL) remains underutilized in the construction and demolition (C&D) waste management practices of developing economies. This study bridges a critical gap by empirically evaluating the effect of RL implementation intensity on sustainability outcomes within Pakistan’s construction sector. A comparative field experiment involving 36 construction projects was conducted, segmented into three groups based on RL maturity: none, moderate, and advanced. A Strategic Sustainability Scorecard (S³) was developed to quantify performance across six dimensions, waste recovery, cost avoidance, emissions reduction, RL integration, stakeholder alignment, and regulatory compliance. The results demonstrate that advanced RL projects achieved an average S³ score 108% higher than baseline projects, with material recovery rates exceeding 65%, and cost avoidance averaging PKR 4.3 million per project. Emissions reductions were also substantial, reaching up to 39.4 tons of CO₂ per project, primarily through steel and cement recovery. Stakeholder engagement scores showed strong positive correlation with sustainability outcomes (R² ≈ 0.73), underscoring the strategic role of institutional alignment. These findings establish RL as a high-leverage operational and policy tool for driving measurable sustainability performance, offering critical implications for procurement strategies, regulatory incentives, and circular economy integration in emerging construction markets.

Keywords

Reverse Logistics / Construction Sustainability / C&D Waste Management / Emissions Reduction / Recycling

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