Potential Benefits from Practices in Construction Waste Material Controls

Abstract

Construction waste is generated from the various construction activities of building, maintaining, renovating, and demolishing infrastructure facilities. These materials include, but are not limited to, concrete, rubble, fiberglass, asphalt, bricks, wood, and scrap metals. In the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in the volume of construction and demolition (C&D) waste materials in the United States (U.S.). Between 1990 and 2017, the total increase in debris generation has surpassed 320%. According to U.S. solid waste management statistics, more than 50% of C&D waste has been and continues to be transported to landfills. The disposal of C&D waste materials in landfills can adversely affect the environment and is not viable economically. Also, C&D waste materials left on construction sites can threaten the safety of construction workers. The application of strategic C&D waste management practices through reducing, recycling, and reusing waste materials is essential for sustainable management of limited resources and thereby can benefit the environment, construction safety, and the economy. For example, the advantages of C&D waste management include reduced environmental pollution, expanded job opportunities, savings in construction project expenses, and enhanced safety for construction workers. The objective of this research was to explore various construction waste management practices to control C&D waste as well as the potential benefits they may bring to the environment, construction safety, and the economy. The findings of this research can be summarized as follows: 1) most construction companies do not deal with waste seriously that is the reason for high practice in landfilling. 2) the best way to minimize the harmful effect of construction waste is by following construction waste management practices, and 3) recycling construction waste is more cost-effective than dispose the waste.