Construction Waste Generation Research Articles

Market analysis of recycled sands and aggregates in NorthWest Europe: drivers and barriers

Construction and demolition wastes (C&DW) are estimated at one third of total wastes generated in the European Union (EU) and represent the main flux in volume. Inert materials (e.g. concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics) constitute the largest fraction of construction and demolition wastes. These wastes can be recovered as secondary raw materials after a recycling process resulting in the production of recycled sands and aggregates (RS&A). The market for RS&A is however complex and sensitive. It can be affected by many parameters and may be very variable from one region to another. A quantitative analysis of some market variables is carried out in five NW European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. For achieving this analysis, attention is paid to the following data/parameters: generation of inert construction and demolition wastes, production of RS&A and production of natural sands and aggregates. Since the market of recycled products is also governed by transportation costs, the study has compiled data on the density of recycling plants for construction and demolition wastes, the density of pits and quarries extracting natural materials, the density of inert landfills and taxes applied for C&DW landfilling. National/regional legislation and requirements are also included in the analysis. Based on the compiled data and objective reasons, the market of RS&A is more developed and more suitable in the Netherlands and in Flanders (North of Belgium) than in the other investigated countries/regions.

Adopting the Zero Waste Concept for Eliminating C&D Waste in the Construction Industry

Construction industry is one of the key economic players in any region, where Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste generation occurs due to continuous construction and demolition activities. The C&D waste mainly comprises cement, timber, brick, concrete, aluminium, tile, steel, plastic, polythene, paper, and cardboard. Such wastes have led to several environmental, economic, and social issues over the past years. Therefore, C&D waste management is considered as a persuasive matter that needs to address, and hence, the “Zero Waste” concept has emerged as a solution to eliminate the C&D waste. Zero waste is the elimination of waste at the source and throughout the construction activity. Accordingly, implementation of the Zero waste concept in the construction industry helps to optimise the use of natural resources, reduce environmental issues and to promote sustainability. However, only limited studies are available on zero waste management in the construction industry, and hence the present study aims to investigate the adoption of zero waste concept to eliminate C&D waste in developing countries. The paper outcomes based on a comprehensive literature review and the significant findings of this research paper are the recognition of strategies, enablers, and barriers to adopting zero waste concept in the construction industry.

Preliminary Survey on the Crucial Root Causes of Material Waste Generation in Malaysian Construction Industry

Construction waste generation has been perceived as a crucial issue that has critical consequences on the project effectiveness and ecological effect of the construction industry. The key objective of the current research is to identify the root causes of material construction waste generation in Malaysia. A well-structured questionnaire was designed based on the 52 identified root causes of material waste generation. The developed questionnaire was distributed to 35 highly experienced in Malaysian construction industry experts. The collected data was analyzed by the use of mean score analysis. The top identified root causes are poor supervision during the construction stage, lack of efficient site management, last minute changes, cutting uneconomical sizes of materials, and constant design changes during the construction period. The initial findings will aid construction practitioners to focus on these root causes in order to reduce the material construction waste generation at construction sites.

WASTE-TO-ENERGY (WTE): A WAY FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES TO SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT

Construction waste generation nowadays becoming a pressing issue in Malaysia with the high numbers of the construction project, which increased rapidly due to ‘Malaysia Plan 2020’ in the recent years. Although Malaysia Government had introduced few ways in managing the construction waste, still some of it was reportedly either ending up at the open landfill or worsen when it is illegally dumped in the forest or by the roadside. The urgency was need to tackle this issue by providing more alternative method. One of the alternative methods that seen to provide the solution with benefits is Waste-to-Energy (WtE). This technology had been proved by several countries such as China and Europe in reducing the waste-to-landfill problem. A few years back, Malaysia had announced to launch the plant for the WtE but somehow the result from the preliminary study resulted that plant had closed due to the reason of low source of the waste. Therefore, this study intended to explore the probability of construction waste to become one of the sources for the WtE generation. This will lead into solving two problems in future, which were construction waste problem and the low source of waste for the WtE generation.

Determining Root Cause of Construction Waste Generation: A Global Context

Construction sector is one of the main sectors in contributing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in every developing country. The rapid growth of this sector directly produces a huge amount of construction waste. Hence, to find out the main root causes of the generation, this paper aimed to determine root causes of the construction waste generation in the construction sector. The research is carried out through triangulation technique (questionnaire survey and practitioner’s validation). This technique is adopted to facilitate cross validation by analysing 38 articles and then the final results have been validated by construction practitioners. A total of 80 root causes were identified from 38 articles and the 5 main root causes determined have scored more than 50% out of the total number of articles. Finally, the result was validated and found out that 87.5% of construction practitioners agree with the findings. The agreed root causes are ‘Constant design changes’, ‘Incorrect storage of materials’, ‘Poor handling of materials’, ‘Effect of weather’ and ‘Mistakes while ordering from suppliers’. Therefore, these initial findings will be able to aid the construction practitioner (contractors, consultants and developers) to be aware of the root causes that is mostly causing construction waste generation.

Estimation methods of construction and demolition waste generation: a review

In recent years, the generation rate of construction and demolition waste (C&D) has significantly augmented. Quantification of C&D waste generation is regarded as a prerequisite for the implementation of successful waste management. Thirty-two papers are retrieved based on a set of rigorous procedures. This paper divides seven methods for estimating the amount of C&D waste generated into two categories:basic methods and comprehensive methods. Based on the analytical review, limitations of previous studies and recommendations of potential future research directions are further suggested. This study can provide guidance to the decision-making department for the scientific management of C&D waste.

Managerial Areas of Construction and Demolition Waste: A Scientometric Review.

In past decades, the massive generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW) was increasingly threatening the public environment and humanity health worldwide. A large amount of research has been devoted to the CDW from difference perspectives. However, few scholars have attempted to summarize and review the extant studies, especially in the managerial areas of CDW (MA-CDW). This paper fills this gap via a systematic and quantitative review in the CDW management field. Employing the scientometric analysis method, a total of 261 articles published from 2006 to 2018 were collected to construct the knowledge map and comprehensive framework for MA-CDW. Results show that the overall evolutionary trend of MA-CDW was from basic management concepts to internal and external challenges analysis, to organizational strategy and innovative management practices. The major MA-CDW knowledge domains were identified and summarized into four pillars, namely: (1) factor and challenge; (2) composition and quantification; (3) assessment and comparison; and (4) technology and method. Based on the trend, knowledge gaps and future research directions were found out and discussed. This study contributes to the existing MA-CDW knowledge by presenting a comprehensive knowledge framework. Furthermore, these findings can provide the researchers and practitioners with an in-depth understanding for the sustainable governance of CDW.

A Comparative Study of Construction Waste Generation Rate Based on Different Construction Methods on Construction Project in Malaysia

High construction waste (CW) generation in Malaysia has serious impacts although there are very little available data regarding the relevant issue in Malaysia. This lack of data results in improper CW management and CW disposal without proper control measures. To control the implications of CW, it is very important to understand their quantity which is currently unknown. Past researches in Malaysia, found that CW generation was affected by construction methods (CMs) practiced on site. The aim of this study is to compare the CW generation rate between different CMs for on-going construction projects in Malaysia. Common CMs practiced in Malaysia are conventional construction method (CCM), mixed construction method (MCM) and industrialized building system (IBS). To obtain CW generation data, site visit (SV) method, which consists of direct measurement (DM) and indirect measurement (IM) is applied to this study. CCM was recorded to have the highest amount of waste (197.657 tons). IBS method records 77.188 tons and MCM 53.191 tons. Regarding the average waste generation rate (AWGR), IBS recorded a value of 0.018 tons per square meter, while MCM recorded 0.030 tons per square meter and CCM recorded the highest amount of 0.046 tons per square meter.

A Comparative Study of Construction Waste Generation Rate Based on Different Construction Methods on Construction Project in Malaysia

A Comparative Study of Construction Waste Generation Rate Based on Different Construction Methods on Construction Project in Malaysia

Combining AHP-Entropy Approach with GIS for Construction Waste Landfill Selection-A Case Study of Shenzhen.

With the recent fast economy development and rapid urbanization, the huge generation of construction waste has become a threat to sustainable development in China. Though efforts have been made to promote reuse and recycling of construction waste, landfilling of waste remains the most commonly adapted approach for construction waste disposal. As the space for landfills is limited and because of the negative issues in terms of environmental and social aspects that may be caused, the appropriate site selection of landfills is crucial. With this background, this paper aims to establish a framework for facilitating landfill selection for construction waste. To begin with, a total of sixteen factors that may influence landfill site selection were identified from a literature review. Then, based on the combined analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy method, the weights and the final comprehensive scores of the identified factors were calculated. According to the derived results, potential sites for landfills were divided into three levels, namely the most appropriate (0.38%), appropriate (17.58%), and inappropriate (82.04%). The proposed decision-making methods in this paper can provide a valuable reference for the selection of construction waste landfill sites.

Recovering Cannibalism in Architecture with a Return to Cyclopean Masonry

Each year, the United States discards 375 million tons of concrete construction debris to landfills. But this is a new paradigm. Past civilizations cannibalized their constructions to produce new architectures. This paper interrogates one cannibalistic methodology from the past known as Cyclopean Masonry in order to translate this valuable method into a contemporary digital procedure. The work contextualizes the techniques of this method and situates them into procedural recipes which can be applied in contemporary construction. A full-scale prototype utilizes the described method; demolition debris is gathered, scanned, and processed through the virtual algorithm. Each rubble unit is then minimally carved by a robotic arm and set to compose a new architecture from discarded rubble debris. The prototype merges ancient construction thinking with advanced digital procedures. It poses material cannibalism as a means of combatting excessive construction waste generation.

The hindrance to using prefabrication in Hong Kong's building industry

Prefabrication is considered an important solution to tackle the issues of construction waste generation, and the high-risk and labour-intensive activities associated with conventional construction methods. This study assesses the key hindrances of adopting prefabrication and provides recommendations for promoting prefabrication in Hong Kong. Twenty-two hindrances were identified in the literature and classified in six groups. A questionnaire survey and face-to-face interviews were conducted to examine the level of importance of the barriers, and to provide comprehensive analyses of each hindrance. The most significant hindrances were “Inflexible for design change”, “Lack storage space on site”, “Long lead-in time”, “Long design time”, “High initial cost” and “High total cost”. Based on the findings of the survey and interviews, six recommendations were proposed to promote the usage of prefabrication in Hong Kong such as “Just-In-Time management”, “BIM technology”, “Legislation for refabrication”, “Potential government measures”, “Encouragement of design and building procure” and “Increase the consumer's confidence”.

Investigation of construction wastes generated in the Malaysian residential sector.

The construction sector is among the fastest growing sectors in Malaysia; it consumes a vast amount of natural resources and produces a massive volume of construction and demolition waste. The waste is collected in a decentralised manner by sub-contracted companies. It is challenging to obtain reliable information on the amount of construction waste generated, because it is hard to determine its exact quantity and composition. Therefore, this study proposes a quantitative construction waste estimation model for residential buildings according to available data collected from the Construction Industry Development Board, Malaysia. In the development of this model, a theoretical investigation of the construction procedure and the construction waste generation process was conducted. The waste generated rate was determined as 25.79 kg m-2 for new residential constructions, which translates into about 553,406 t of anticipated waste annually.

From urban metabolism to industrial ecosystem metabolism: A study of construction in Shanghai from 2004 to 2014

Amid the prolific studies on urban metabolism is the relatively sparse research focusing on a specific industrial ecosystem. A general urban metabolism framework disconnected from specific industrial background is at the risk to misunderstand the key drivers of metabolic process, thereby failing to propose applicable measures for improving its sustainability. This paper aims to develop an industrial ecosystem level metabolism framework. This was conducted by following the major analytical tools such as material and energy flow analysis (MEFA) with a focus on the construction ecosystem, which plays a pivotal role in materializing the urban meanwhile generating negative by-products such as greenhouse-gas (GHG), pollutants, and construction waste. The framework was further applied to the construction ecosystem in Shanghai for confirming the major components it includes. Using the data in Shanghai, it was also discovered that the construction industry is generally less efficient in terms of metabolism. It is indicated that population, urbanization rate, concrete input, real estate investment, and the housing demolished and newly built are principal determinants explaining massive construction and demolition (C&D) waste generation in Shanghai. The framework can facilitate the understanding of construction ecosystem metabolic process, investigation of C&D waste generation and its main drivers, and evaluating and improving urban sustainability at an industrial scale.

Licenciamento ambiental: uma análise da sua eficiência no setor da construção civil de João Pessoa

<p>The management of construction waste in large cities carried out by the public administration presents some difficulties that have been increased due to the housing policy developed by the federal government. These problems have affected not only the generation, management, but also the final destination of the waste products. The objective of this study was to investigate the conflicts experienced in João Pessoa city through the quantification found in the Civil Construction and Demolition Waste Management Projects (PGRCCD) present in the Environmental Licensing processes requested in Environment Secretariat of João Pessoa (Semam). In João Pessoa, the situation experienced in the years 2014 and 2015 reflects the national scenario. In 2014 the upswing in the sector resulted in the generation of about 712,101.49 m3 of construction and demolition waste (RCDs). It became a problem because there was evidence of correct disposal of this waste occurring in only 8,471.50 m3 of the estimated total. In 2015, following the national slowdown due to the political-financial crisis, the generation of construction waste decreased considerably. As a result of that there was only an amount of 31,788.88 m3 of construction and demolition waste. However, the final waste disposal verification exceeded the waste generation quantification of the year, of 40,246.46 m3. This made us refer back to former problems’ resolutions. Based on the information from this period it can be said that the process of implementing shared management skills requires adjustments, improvements and technological investment in the traceability of waste disposal that includes the design of the architectural project and the project delivery for this would mean improvements for the city and less environmental impacts.</p>

GIS-based planning system for managing the flow of construction and demolition waste in Brazil.

The objective of this article was to plan a network for municipal management of construction and demolition waste in Brazil with the assistance of a geographic information system, using the city of Recife as a case study. The methodology was carried out in three stages. The first was to map the illegal construction and demolition of waste disposal points across Recife and classify the waste according to its recyclability. In sequence, a method for indicating suitable areas for installation of voluntary delivery points, for small waste generators, are presented. Finally, a method for indicating suitable areas for the installation of trans-shipment and waste sorting areas, developed for large generators, is presented. The results show that a geographic information system is an essential tool in the planning of municipal construction and demolition waste management, in order to facilitate the spatial analysis and control the generation, sorting, collection, transportation, and final destination of construction and demolition waste, increasing the rate of recovery and recycling of materials.

Analysis of Construction Waste Generation and Its Effect in a Construction Site

Analysis of Construction Waste Generation and Its Effect in a Construction Site

Investigate How Construction Waste Generation Rate is Different for Every Types of Project in Peninsular Malaysia Using Site Visit Method

Malaysia is a rapid development of its urban centre, and where construction and demolition (C&D) waste generation is increasing proportionally with the new construction industry development. In Malaysia, the most crucial issue highlighted by local researchers is excessive of C&D waste generation. The transfer of construction and demolition waste at landfills has brought about major ecological concerns and government sources demonstrate that there is an intense lack of landfill space in Malaysia. The aim of this study is to investigate the construction waste generation rate in Malaysia due to different project types. To obtain the waste generation rate, construction sites visit is required. In construction site, direct and indirect approaches were utilized to collect C&D waste generation data based on data available. For the construction waste generation rate, non-residential projects obtained smallest value such as 0.008 t/m2 while residential projects obtained highest value such as 0.016 t/m2. Social amenities obtained 0.010 t/m2 of waste generation rate. Waste generation rate is different compare to waste generation due to projects sizes. Waste generation rate shows the actual waste generation for every projects type based on gross floor area. The gross floor area is important parts need to be considered during waste generation which provide actual waste generation data. Waste generation rate plays an important role to measure waste generation for every type of projects. This study, will be very much beneficial for contractors and clients to control the construction waste in construction site and to identify efficiencies of projects using waste generation rate. Besides that, provide a generation rate on construction waste to the Government for control the waste and reduce illegal dumping in future

Construction and demolition waste generation and properties of recycled aggregate concrete: A global perspective

Abstract Concrete production and construction and demolition waste generation are some of the main contributors of constant carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere. The main aim of this review is to present the status of construction and demolition waste generation around the world and subsequently provide a critical review of the recent studies conducted to improve the properties of recycled aggregate concrete through different supplementary materials. Information from 40 countries within six continents have been collated, critically analysed with the central focus being on the current construction and demolition waste generation and different policies adopted by the relevant government bodies. The future goals and targets of each country are briefly discussed. The overall construction and demolition waste generation in 40 countries worldwide reached more than 3.0 billion tonnes annually until 2012 and this trend is increasing constantly. The developing countries including India and China need to develop comprehensive system to monitor and utilize their huge C&D waste and government level initiative is required for mass awareness. Recycled aggregates obtained through construction and demolition waste are of inferior quality and use of different pozzolanic materials are recommended by several researchers to enhance its properties. Furthermore, it was also suggested to use the recycled aggregates from 30 to 50% to achieve the strength equivalent to natural aggregate concrete with supplementary cementitious materials. More research is imperative in the area of unconventional supplementary materials in recycled aggregate concrete and full structural analysis on long term scale. The uncertainty of its quality and absence of proper standards hinder its way of common adoption in real-world applications. Therefore, further research is necessary to endorse this waste in the construction industry and develop proper standards for its use in low-risk structural applications.

Multi-criteria decision analysis to assess the environmental and economic performance of using recycled gypsum cement and recycled aggregate to produce concrete: The case of Catalonia (Spain)

The production of virgin raw materials used in construction and the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW) are key environmental issues in the construction industry. Portland cement and concrete are used extensively in the construction sector. Processing of CDW to produce recycled gypsum cement and recycled aggregates (RA) and their use in the production of structural and non-structural concrete are one way of slowing natural resource depletion and reducing the amount of CDW landfilled. This study proposes the application of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to compare the production of “green” concretes made from recycled gypsum cement (RGC) and RA with the production of conventional concrete made from natural aggregate and ordinary Portland cement. The VIKOR MCDA method was employed to determine the best or a set of good alternative(s) for concrete production, considering environmental and economic criteria. The life cycle assessment method was used to select the environmental evaluation criteria, and the reference cost of producing concrete alternatives in Spain was used to determine economic criteria. The results of this study, in which environmental and economic criteria were considered of equal weight, or one of the two criteria was given greater weight, showed that the best option for structural and non-structural concrete was the use of RGC and RA. In both cases, the worst alternative was conventional concrete. In conclusion, we found that the use of RGC and RA in concrete production is positive because it replaces the original raw material, reduces the environmental impact, and lowers the economic costs.