Adoption of environmental practices on construction sites

Natasha Ilse Rothbucher Thomas,Dayana Bastos Costa

doi:10.1590/s1678-86212017000400182

Natasha Ilse Rothbucher Thomas, Dayana Bastos Costa

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-86212017000400182

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Abstract

Abstract Sustainability on construction sites and its impacts on the environment have become increasingly relevant. Large quantities of materials, water and energy, among other resources of various types and origins, are consumed on construction sites during the production activities and by the temporary facilities. This paper aims at presenting a set of criteria for the adoption of sustainable management practices on construction sites aiming at mitigating environmental impacts produced during the construction phase. An in-depth case study was carried out on the new building of the Construction Chamber for the state of Bahia, Brazil. Different environmental impacts for each construction activity specific to the construction site were studied and an economic feasibility study of each solution was performed, followed by the implementation of these practices. Monitoring data was collected through checklists, indicators and periodic project management meetings. Participant observation and document analysis were also used as sources of evidence. The main findings refer to the identification of solutions, main difficulties in adopting such solutions, the development of indicators for monitoring low environmental impact on construction sites, as well as a set of recommendations for the deployment of sustainable practices on construction sites.

Highlights

On a global scale, the construction industry is responsible for about 50% of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, 20-50% of all natural resources consumed and 50% of all solid waste produced, some of which occurs during the construction phase of the building’s life cycle, causing many environmental impacts (PULASKI, 2004; KHASREEN; BANFILL; MENZIES, 2009; PROBERT et al, 2010)
The objective of this paper is to develop a set of criteria for the adoption of environmental practices and assessing sustainable construction site aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts produced during the construction process
The main theoretical contribution of this paper is the establishment of conditions, criteria, and metrics during the construction phase to evaluate the implementation process of management practices for low environmental impact construction sites, presenting the effects of a comprehensive on-site sustainable practice program

Summary

Introduction

The construction industry is responsible for about 50% of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, 20-50% of all natural resources consumed and 50% of all solid waste produced, some of which occurs during the construction phase of the building’s life cycle, causing many environmental impacts (PULASKI, 2004; KHASREEN; BANFILL; MENZIES, 2009; PROBERT et al, 2010). The growth of the construction industry and its subsequent environmental impacts highlight the importance of the need for sustainable construction processes and actual ways to manage measures of sustainability (TAM et al, 2006; DING, 2008). Water and electricity among other resources of various types and origins are consumed on construction sites during the different production activities and by the temporary facilities. These activities generate solid waste and particle emissions causing a concern with soil contamination, air and water pollution and soil erosion (GANGOLELLS et al, 2014). Noise emission is an important issue, as the construction site activities temporarily increase noise pollution, and are often set in the urban environment (BALLESTEROS et al, 2010)

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