Promoting sustainable waste minimisation in the built environment: a case study of urban housing in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the largest solid waste generators all over the globe. Because waste generation from both new construction works, as well as renovation works has been on the increase, it is absolutely necessary for the construction industry to adopt ecologically sound planning and construction practices for the purpose of creating a healthy and sustainable built environment. This is the focus of this paper. It appraises the management of construction waste in Nigeria and Akure in particular. A survey of selected construction sites in Akure is used as a case study to demonstrate the magnitude of poor management level of construction waste generation observed and the implications on the built environment. Research findings reveal that the Ondo State Waste Management Board is responsible for the management of solid waste in the city and over 78% of the construction waste is disposed indiscriminately or burnt on site, since the mandate of the board does not cover construction waste. Contractors were observed to cart away a sizeable junk of the waste for other uses. The paper suggests a wide range of measures for minimisation of waste on construction sites. These include modularisation of design, standardisation of building components, industrial production of building materials, efficient specification writing, retraining of building professionals, reuse and recycling among others. The paper concludes that there is colossal deficiency in the management of construction waste in the study area and recommend ways of ameliorating it.

Experts’ Perceptions of the Management and Minimisation of Waste in the Australian Construction Industry

“…The literature shows that design decisions impact the highest percentages of construction waste generated of a construction project [17][18][19][20], and approximately one-third of construction waste directly results from design decisions [21]. However, the construction industry's most common waste management practices mainly focus on issues relating to physical construction waste and recycling guides, where waste is already generated [22].…”

“…According to Esa et al [21], architects and designers greatly influence reducing waste on any construction phase level if they intentionally design out waste. Many works in the literature suggest that the leading cause of construction waste generation is design changes during the construction process [17][18][19][20]. The primary sources of these changes are due to last-minute client requirements, design complexity, criteria changes, design deficiencies, lack of design information, unforeseen ground and site conditions, designer's lack of experience in evaluating construction methods and the sequence of construction operation [27][28][29].…”

Sustaining the Environment: A case study of the Garment Industry in Bangladesh

“…However, processed wastewater can be used without even any further treatment for agricultural water and disposal to both the water (Hassan, 2017). Adedeji et al (2013) designed that construction is a significant household waste producer in the world. The paper reveals that waste collection boards are responsible for waste management in the city and that more than 78 percent of building waste is unwillingly dumped or burnt on the fields.…”

“…The paper reveals that waste collection boards are responsible for waste management in the city and that more than 78 percent of building waste is unwillingly dumped or burnt on the fields. However, they do have an incredible wastewater treatment shortfall and recommend improving it (Adedeji et al, 2013). Law (1997) proposed that water policy dialogue is projected as the demand for limited water supplies increases.…”

Sustainable Building Finishes: Use of Renewable Standardized Wood-Based Material in Nigeria

“…However, the conventional methods of using timber in construction of buildings in Nigeria are plagued with enormous waste, which can be avoided with intelligent applications. Also, timber usage in piecemeal sourcing adds to the building cost when compared with prefabricated components produced on industrial level [4]. In recent development, man has gradually improved the technologies adopted in wood processing in order to achieve better products in terms of utilisation for constructional works up till this age.…”