Abstract
More production equals more waste, more waste creates environmental concerns of toxic threat. An economical viable solution to this problem should include utilization of waste materials for new products which in turn minimize the heavy burden on the nation’s landfills. Recycling of waste construction materials saves natural resources, saves energy, reduces solid waste, reduces air and water pollutants and reduces greenhouse gases. The construction industry can start being aware of and take advantage of the benefits of using waste and recycled materials. Studies have investigated the use of acceptable waste, recycled and reusable materials and methods. The use of swine manure, animal fat, silica fume, roofing shingles, empty palm fruit bunch, citrus peels, cement kiln dust, fly ash, foundry sand, slag, glass, plastic, carpet, tire scraps, asphalt pavement and concrete aggregate in construction is becoming increasingly popular due to the shortage and increasing cost of raw materials. In this study a questionnaire survey targeting experts from construction industry was conducted in order to investigate the current practices of the uses of waste and recycled materials in the construction industry. This study presents an initial understanding of the current strengths and weaknesses of the practice intended to support construction industry in developing effective policies regarding uses of waste and recycled materials as construction materials.
Highlights
These companies used less than 2% of any given recycled material including tire rubber, silica fume, glass, cement kiln dust, carpet, foundry sand, swine manure, animal fat, soy bean, citrus peels, sewage sludge and date and oil palm tree, which were listed in the survey as usable recyclable materials for construction applications
This include the benefits in enhancing sustainability of the construction industry while reducing cost, providing solutions to environmental pollution and reducing the need for natural resources
A questionnaire survey was conducted to find out the current practices in using waste and recycled materials in the construction industry
Summary
A key environmental issue is waste incinerators, furnaces for burning trash, garbage and ashes. These incinerators produce 210 different dioxin compounds plus mercury, cadmium, nitrous oxide, hydrogen chloride, sulfuric acid and fluorides. Begum et al (2010) supports the adoption of prefabrication and Industrialized Building Systems (IBS) to reduce waste generation and management problems. In addition to a reduction of construction waste generation, Hassim (2009) identified and discussed other advantages of applying prefabrication in the building and construction and pollution. Many have found that replacing raw activities This include enhance integrity on the building materials with recycled materials reduces our dependency on raw materials in the construction design and construction, reduction unskilled workers, reduce construction cost, fixed design at the early stage
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