Modelling Bim–Circular Economy Integration for Construction Waste Minimisation in Malaysia: A Pls-Sem Approach

Construction waste remains a persistent sustainability challenge in the construction industry, particularly as conventional project delivery often follows a linear model of material use, disposal, and limited recovery. This study examines how Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Circular Economy practices can be integrated to support construction waste minimisation in Malaysia. Specifically, the study investigates the relationships among BIM Use, Implementation Challenges, BIM–Circular Economy Integration, and Construction Waste Minimisation. A quantitative survey was conducted among 279 Malaysian construction industry practitioners, and the data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings show that BIM–Circular Economy Integration has a significant positive effect on Construction Waste Minimisation, while BIM Use also directly contributes to waste reduction. However, BIM Use does not significantly influence BIM–Circular Economy Integration, suggesting that BIM adoption alone is insufficient unless it is intentionally aligned with circular economy objectives. Implementation Challenges strongly influence BIM–Circular Economy Integration but do not directly affect Construction Waste Minimisation. The mediation analysis further indicates that BIM–Circular Economy Integration significantly mediates the relationship between Implementation Challenges and Construction Waste Minimisation, but not the relationship between BIM Use and Construction Waste Minimisation. These findings highlight that effective waste minimisation requires more than digital adoption; it requires clear circular strategies, stronger organisational support, improved BIM standards, stakeholder collaboration, and practical mechanisms for material reuse, recycling, and recovery. This study contributes to sustainable construction literature by providing empirical evidence on BIM-enabled circular construction and its role in reducing construction waste in Malaysia.

Building Information Modelling; Circular Economy; Construction Waste Minimisation; Sustainable Construction; PLS-SEM

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