Abstract
This research aimed the characterization of the current production of construction waste in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and its impacts on the environment of the Amazon Region. The significance of this research work is to contribute to the improvement of the environmental management of waste in the construction sites of the city of Manaus, with the aim of preserving the Amazonian environment. This research also sought to characterize the existing problems in the environmental management of construction waste in four construction sites, with areas greater than 9,000 square meters. The methodology adopted was based on the application of an in situ survey in four construction sites in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, administered by three companies representing the construction sector in the Amazon Region. Data were collected at the construction sites in question in the second half of 2018, regarding the types of construction waste produced, respective volumes, destination and associated costs. A comparison was made between constructed areas and volumes of waste produced, characterizing the current situation of construction waste production in the city of Manaus. After analysing the results obtained, it was concluded that due to the high associated costs, companies avoid recycling construction waste, and opt to discharge it in municipal or clandestine landfills, with significant environmental impacts. For this reason, a greater participation of the Public Administration is recommended regarding the adequate management of waste in construction sites, namely offering financial incentives for companies to promote the recycling and reuse of construction waste.
Highlights
Civil construction has its origins in artisanal works that have been progressing through the ages, the generation of waste in construction is considered normal by workers in the area, but all agree that there is a need to reduce the volumes of these wastes at the construction sites
Best practices address the definition of management strategies in a preconstruction phase, techniques around prevention and collection are proposed in a second category, and re-use, treatment and material recovery practices are discussed in the third and fourth category.[4]. These good practices can be applied in the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, since it is surrounded by the Amazon Rainforest, a world heritage site, which must be preserved as a biodiversity richness for all humanity
Similar studies are reported in China and Brazil: in the city of Hangzhou a study was carried out[5] during the years 2007 to 2016 on the solid waste generated in that city and its serious consequences for the environment, while in the municipality of Sobral, Ceará, a study[6] on construction waste production was carried out, and the results demonstrated the relationship between municipal waste generation and the degradation of the environment in its surroundings
Summary
Civil construction has its origins in artisanal works that have been progressing through the ages, the generation of waste in construction is considered normal by workers in the area, but all agree that there is a need to reduce the volumes of these wastes at the construction sites. This reduction in waste volumes is an urgent need for companies to "rethink progress", often choosing to invest in "eco-projects", which aim to minimize and reuse construction waste.[1] The European Commission has already defined that by 2020 a 70% reduction in construction waste should be achieved, on the basis of recycling,[2] which demonstrates the importance of the subject for the Society. The present research, regarding the generation of construction waste in the city of Manaus, located in the center of the Amazon Forest, has the main objective of investigating the final destination of waste in the construction sites of the city, focusing the costs generated with the management of these wastes
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