CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT: USING THE 7Rs GOLDEN RULE FOR INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY

Abstract

The construction industry is criticised for consuming extensive amounts of finite natural resources as well as producing substantial quantities of leftover, named as construction waste. Various laws and regulations have been issued to regulate the negative impacts experienced by the construction industry including the generated pollution; however, only partial success has been attained. This paper suggests the application of the Industrial Ecology (IE) concept as a potential method to help the construction industry to become a sustainable responsible business. The Industrial Ecology concept is defined as the study of industrial systems that operate more like natural eco-systems. This concept can be applied to the construction industry by utilising the site wastes as raw materials for other industries or applications, where materials and energy could be circulated in a complex web of interactions. A possible strategy for the implementation of the IE concept could be through the full adaptation of the 7Rs Golden Rule. The 7Rs Golden Rule is a waste management hierarchy that consists of Regulations, Reducing, Reusing, Recycling, Recovering, Rethinking and Renovation. The employment of the 7Rs Golden Rule could help in eradicating the landfilling process as well as substituting the end-of-pipe treatment techniques. Consequently, the Cradle-to-Cradle concept could be fulfilled, where considerable amount of cost savings could be achieved. This paper explains the basic elements of the 7Rs Golden Rule and the possible routes to apply the Industrial Ecology concept to the construction industry. Furthermore, the paper recommends some management techniques to mitigate wastage of various construction materials such as concrete, masonry works, tiles, steel, excavated soil, wood, paper, plasterboard, asphalt, metal, glass, paper, plastics, paints and coatings and insulation materials. INTRODUCTION INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY AND 7Rs MANAGEMENT TOOLS APPLYING 7Rs IN MITIGATION CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES