Types of Construction Waste from Buildings in Bujumbura and Their Impact on Costs

In Burundi, the construction sector is characterized by the presence of highly skilled human capital. However, the sector is also marked by inefficient resource management, with construction waste being perceived as an unavoidable problem rather than a potential source of profit. In view of this observation, the present study assesses the financial impact of these losses in Bujumbura, Burundi's economic capital, with a view to identifying operational levers that can transform this constraint into an opportunity for profitability. The research is grounded in a mixed methodology, integrating a perception survey of 47 professionals within the sector and in-depth audits of 11 construction sites overseen by seasoned executives. The findings of the data analysis suggest a phenomenon that can be termed the "expert paradox": despite the fact that 90% of site managers are seasoned engineers, the reality on the ground demonstrates a persistent managerial deficiency. Indeed, the findings of the audit revealed that 91% of the sites had no formal waste management system in place, and 82% lacked documentation to track actual consumption. This disorganization has been shown to result in considerable financial losses, with material losses estimated at between 5% and 20% of the total project budget, primarily attributable to a paucity of daily supervision and operational rigour. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that waste minimization is not a challenge of technical competence, but of site governance. The principal contribution of this study is to demonstrate the necessity of transitioning to a culture of traceability and systematic control. The replacement of current informal practices with rigorous management strategies is a potential catalyst for transformation of waste into a strategic investment for construction companies in Burundi. This, in turn, can ensure their overall performance and economic viability