Abstract
The environmental concern has become the top trend nowadays and the ideas of environmental protection, green orientation and green innovation, highly concern from the last few decades in all research areas. The construction industry is one of those that has a very strong impact on the environment. Air, water, noise and vibration, as well as soil pollution caused during construction processes, negatively impact on the environment and its natural ecosystems, as well as on humans at a global level. Construction waste generated during the construction, renovation and demolition process occupies huge landfills due to significant volumes. It may also contain substances that are hazardous to the environment and human health. This paper summarizes the research results on the possibilities for more efficient construction waste management as well as the experience of companies operating in the construction sector with a purpose to reduce the causes of pollution. The data obtained within the framework of the survey on people’s understanding in the field of construction pollution and waste in Latvia have been analyzed. The main goal of the study is to present the main findings of the authors’ survey and to discuss the current construction waste management challenges and potential innovations in Latvia. The authors used the following research methods: literature review, analysis of statistical data; questionnaire creation and conduction a survey; interviews with waste management companies. The research was conducted during the period from October 2019 to July 2020. The obtained results showed that there was a huge potential for innovation because the current situation was far from ideal. The results of an empirical analysis demonstrated that the collection of sorted construction waste on construction sites currently was practically impossible, as the industry points to the human factor in the waste sorting process. Although the data obtained within the framework of the survey clearly indicated the interest of employees in sorting construction waste already on the construction site, waste industry companies currently consider such a practice impossible also due to the influence of other side factors related to economic considerations. It is necessary to develop a normative framework for the implementation of the construction waste certification system to promote the reuse of construction waste in construction as efficiently as possible. Keywords construction waste, management of technological innovation, environmental management, Latvia, sustainable development.
Highlights
Human development in recent centuries has been characterized by the exponential growth in population, production and consumption, and the globalization of several processes, which increases the need for new infrastructure and housing.Improperly managed waste is harmful to humans from the point of view of labour protection and causesCite as: Tambovceva, T., Urbane, V., & Ievins, J. (2020)
The results of an empirical analysis demonstrated that the collection of sorted construction waste on construction sites currently was practically impossible, as the industry points to the human factor in the waste sorting process
The data obtained within the framework of the survey clearly indicated the interest of employees in sorting construction waste already on the construction site, waste industry companies currently consider such a practice impossible due to the influence of other side factors related to economic considerations
Summary
Human development in recent centuries has been characterized by the exponential growth in population, production and consumption, and the globalization of several processes, which increases the need for new infrastructure and housing.Improperly managed waste is harmful to humans from the point of view of labour protection and causesCite as: Tambovceva, T., Urbane, V., & Ievins, J. (2020). Managed waste is harmful to humans from the point of view of labour protection and causes. Cite as: Tambovceva, T., Urbane, V., & Ievins, J. Innovations in Construction Waste Management: Case of Latvia. The goal of a sustainable society is to manage waste in a way that minimizes the potential for pollution. Adherence to proper occupational safety and health requirements protects workers from harm and raises awareness of pollution and how to reduce it. The circulation of polluting emissions - waste - is a topical issue at the level of employees involved in construction, society and the state. The process of waste management in construction is especially relevant, as the construction sector generates the largest percentage of waste in Europe, i.e. 34.8% (Eurostat, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
