This review examines the challenges and research prospects in sustainable construction and demolition (C&D) waste management. Globally, C&D waste constitutes 30-40% of total waste generation, posing significant environmental and health risks. Despite efforts to manage this waste, limited studies have comprehensively reviewed integrated sustainable management approaches. This study conducts a systematic review of published literature from 2002 to 2022 to identify barriers to sustainable C&D waste management and map future research areas. The findings reveal several research gaps, including limitations in operational aspects, lack of legislation monitoring, inadequate recycled product markets, inefficient stakeholder engagement, limited sustainable management frameworks, limited social performance research, and insufficient information technology integration. The study highlights the need for further research in these areas to enhance sustainable C&D waste management practices. The review also identifies key trends in C&D waste management research, including a shift towards sustainability, circular economy, and the use of big data. The study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of effective policies and technologies to address the challenges of C&D waste management. The findings are valuable for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers in understanding the boundaries and potential future research areas in sustainable C&D waste management. The study also highlights the role of stakeholders, including government agencies, construction companies, and the public, in promoting sustainable C&D waste management practices. The review underscores the need for improved waste management strategies, including better waste reduction, recycling, and reuse practices, as well as the integration of information technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of C&D waste management. The study concludes that sustainable C&D waste management is a critical area of research and practice, with significant implications for environmental, economic, and social sustainability.This review examines the challenges and research prospects in sustainable construction and demolition (C&D) waste management. Globally, C&D waste constitutes 30-40% of total waste generation, posing significant environmental and health risks. Despite efforts to manage this waste, limited studies have comprehensively reviewed integrated sustainable management approaches. This study conducts a systematic review of published literature from 2002 to 2022 to identify barriers to sustainable C&D waste management and map future research areas. The findings reveal several research gaps, including limitations in operational aspects, lack of legislation monitoring, inadequate recycled product markets, inefficient stakeholder engagement, limited sustainable management frameworks, limited social performance research, and insufficient information technology integration. The study highlights the need for further research in these areas to enhance sustainable C&D waste management practices. The review also identifies key trends in C&D waste management research, including a shift towards sustainability, circular economy, and the use of big data. The study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of effective policies and technologies to address the challenges of C&D waste management. The findings are valuable for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers in understanding the boundaries and potential future research areas in sustainable C&D waste management. The study also highlights the role of stakeholders, including government agencies, construction companies, and the public, in promoting sustainable C&D waste management practices. The review underscores the need for improved waste management strategies, including better waste reduction, recycling, and reuse practices, as well as the integration of information technologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of C&D waste management. The study concludes that sustainable C&D waste management is a critical area of research and practice, with significant implications for environmental, economic, and social sustainability.