Resources Conservation and Waste Management Practices in Construction Industry

Abstract

Changing people's wasteful behaviour can make a significant contribution for sustainable growth. This is because wastes are often hazardous in nature thereby making them potentially hazardous to human health and/or the environment. Sustainable livelihood within the environment where the presence of wastes has become a phenomenon makes efforts at addressing this menace a central issue. In the light of this, a strategic solid waste resource management planning approach has been identified as capable of enhancing plausible solutions to take care of its menace. Such planning has to take into cognizance a comprehensive strategy that can remain flexible in light of changing economic, social, material (products and packaging) and environmental conditions. In relation to the present study, the need for resource conservation in order to minimise the rate of waste generation is being emphasized. The necessity of this revolves around the environmental benefits inherent in such efforts and economic gains it will bestow on the construction industry and other stakeholders within the society. This paper investigates the management of wastes generated from construction and demolition activities that has wide-ranging impacts on the environment. Waste management is perceived as a low project priority, and there is an absence of appropriate resources and incentives support it. A theory of waste behaviour is proposed for the construction industry, and recommendations are made to help managers improve workers' attitudes towards waste.

An Assessment of Material Waste Disposal Methods in the Nigerian Construction Industry

“…Despite the high levels of material waste, Wahab and Lawal [50] observed that little attention is given to construction waste in Nigeria and argued that a low means of disposal and the lack of awareness may be responsible. In support of their observation, Kareem, Asa, and Lawal [51] further explained that the high volume of wastes are due to the availability of inexpensive disposal methods, suggesting the need for government regulatory policies and organisational policies. At the firm level, Dania et al [52] found that waste management is generally poor, while other studies [50,53,54] revealed that different disposal methods are adopted on construction sites.…”

Main Challenges to Concrete Recycling in Practice

“…Clients and developers are increasingly attempting to set construction and demolition waste management requirements [11]. Udawatta et al argued that clients and other construction and demolition project participants have fewer positive attitudes toward construction and demolition waste management practices [12].…”

“…Different reasons contribute to the difficulty of construction and demolition waste management practice in practice. Some of the reasons are the inability to predict the production environment, unique project characteristics, time pressure, and cost limitations [11]. Additionally, construction and demolition processes can produce waste due to improper handling and less management attention.…”

“…Construction and demolition waste management activities were considered unimportant to contractors [12]. Such negative thinking regarding construction and demolition waste has hindered the implementation of innovations that target its reduction [11].…”

“…Training and incentives for waste management operators to improve their knowledge and participate in less wasteful activities can help to promote a good attitude and viewpoint of construction and demolition waste management operations [11]. Researchers have emphasized the fundamental challenge to waste reduction in developing countries [11,13].…”