Analyzing mixed construction and demolition waste in material recovery facilities: evolution, challenges, and applications of computer vision and deep learning

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in deep learning for recognizing mixed construction and demolition waste, emphasizing the need for better datasets, sensors, and algorithms to improve waste management and sustainability.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent deep learning developments in C&D waste analysis and identifies key challenges for commercial implementation.

Findings

Deep learning models show potential but struggle with mixed, contaminated waste.

Progress has been made in datasets, sensors, and real-time segmentation techniques.

Limitations include dataset diversity and sensor technology gaps.

Abstract

Improving the automatic and timely recognition of construction and demolition waste composition is crucial for enhancing business returns, economic outcomes and sustainability. While deep learning models show promise in recognizing and classifying homogenous materials, the current literature lacks research assessing their performance for mixed, contaminated material in commercial material recycling facility settings. Despite the increasing numbers of deep learning models and datasets generated in this area, the sub-domain of deep learning analysis of construction and demolition waste piles remains underexplored. To address this gap, recent deep learning algorithms and techniques were explored. This review examines the progression in datasets, sensors and the evolution from object detection towards real-time segmentation models. It also synthesizes research from the past five years on deep learning for construction and demolition waste management, highlighting recent advancements while acknowledging limitations that hinder widespread commercial adoption. The analysis underscores the critical requirement for diverse and high-fidelity datasets, advanced sensor technologies, and robust algorithmic frameworks to facilitate the effective integration of deep learning methodologies into construction and demolition waste management systems. This integration is envisioned to contribute significantly towards the advancement of a more sustainable and circular economic model.