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* Corresponding author: kushiliyanage23@gmail.com
Adopting the Zero Waste Concept for Eliminating C&D Waste in
the Construction Industry
K.L.A.K.T. Liyanage,1*, K.G.A.S. Waidyasekara2, and H. Mallawaarachchi3
1,2,3Department of Building Economics, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Abstract: 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.
1. Introduction
Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste is one of the
main contributors to the solid waste generation
throughout the world [1]. Waste management is a
challenging sector in almost every city and country, and
attention has been paid to solve waste problems since the
early nineteenth century [2]. The growth in the
consumption of resources has led to waste generation,
and still, there is no straightforward solution to waste
problems [3].
Waste is defined as the end of the life of the product that
raises social and environmental issues [2]. According to
[4], it is a challenging task to manage and handle the
waste in an economical and environmentally-friendly
manner due to the dynamic nature of waste composition
and quantity. Most developing countries of Asia practice
open dumping and landfilling methods to dispose of
waste while developed countries of Asia use the
incineration method. Emission of hazardous substances
through landfilling, incineration and open dumping
induces the pollution of surface water, groundwater, and
air pollution [5], and poor waste management leads to
environmental issues and health problems [4].
C&D waste contributes to a large portion of solid waste
[6]. C&D waste means the waste of valuable natural
resources, and the disposal of C&D wastes to landfills
leads to the scarcity of land resource [7]. The
composition of the C&D waste could be identified as
cement, timber, brick, concrete, aluminium, tile, steel,
asbestos, heavy metals, persistent organic compounds,
and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) [8, 9]. As per
[10], C&D wastes are generated due to design changes,
poor communication between design and construction
teams, extended project duration, and lack of design
information.
The construction sector is considered as a leading
contributor to the global waste production and generates
30% of the landfilled wastes [11]. Such construction
waste landfilling induces environmental and health
hazards [1]. According to [11], landfilling of
construction waste has resulted in environmental
problems such as degradation of land, habitat
destruction, contamination of soil and groundwater, and
release of methane. Thus, there is a compelling need to
reduce waste in all stages of construction by considering
the long-term impacts [12]. As per Mahpour [13],
practices such as boosting resource exploitation
efficiency and the circular economy is practised with the
increased public concern to manage C&D waste.
Economic and environmental benefits could be achieved
by implementing C&D waste management techniques
[6].
Zero waste is a whole system approach that focuses on
the elimination of waste at the source and throughout all
points of the supply chain [14]. The zero waste concept
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has emerged as an innovative method to handle waste
management problems, where waste is considered as a
resource [2]. In recent years, attention is paid to waste
minimisation in the construction industry by
understanding the waste minimisation benefits, cost-
saving benefits, and environmental issues due to C&D
waste [10]. The implementation of the Zero waste
concept helps to achieve the optimum use of natural
resources and reduction in environmental issues [2]. This
statement confirms that zero waste is the correct solution
for C&D waste management in the construction industry.
Thus, this paper presents the significant literature
findings on enablers, barriers, and strategies to adopt the
zero waste concept in the construction industry, as a part
of a research study in investigating the adaptability of
zero waste concept to the Sri Lankan construction
industry.
2. Research Method
A review of prior literature is essential to identify the
existing knowledge gaps [15], and conducting an initial
systematic literature review enriches and reinforces the
research process. Therefore, journal articles, books,
published and unpublished bibliographies, conference
proceedings, industry reports, and documents that are
specifically related to the construction industry, C&D
waste, zero waste, strategies, enablers, and barriers to
C&D waste management, and zero waste management
were referred to collect comprehensive literature
findings.
3. C&D Waste and Its Impacts
C&D waste can be generated through both construction
and demolition processes [11]. Similarly, C&D waste is
generated by the extraction of raw materials,
manufacture of materials, construction processes, and
demolition and waste disposal [1]. In the global context,
35% of C&D waste is disposed of in landfills without
following any waste treatment method [16]. Further,
C&D waste generates 25% of municipal solid waste and
50% of hazardous waste [17]. C&D waste can be defined
as the waste generated through new constructions,
renovations, and demolition of buildings and structures
[18], and as the waste of valuable natural resources [7].
Similarly, C&D waste can also be defined as a mixture
of different materials generated through construction,
renovation, and demolition activities, and it comprises of
inert waste, non-inert and non-hazardous waste, and
hazardous waste [16].
C&D waste generated in the construction industry is due
to the surplus or damaged materials, on-site processing,
packaging, refurbishment, replacement, and demolition,
which are ultimately sent to a landfill or a resource
recovery or recycling facility [11]. C&D waste consists
of concrete, combustible materials, gypsum, scrap iron,
unpainted wood, and other waste [17]. Further, [16]
stated that depending on the source, C&D waste is
divided into two sections as human-made source and
nature-made source. C&D waste is also comprised of
concrete, wood, steel, copper, aluminum, bricks and
mortar, plastic, PVC pipes, plastic films for packaging,
wall coverings, glass, ceramic tiles, mineral wool
insulation, drywall/gypsum board, gravel, sand and soil,
paper, cardboard, marble, and granite [1, 6].
C&D waste dumping into landfills leads to natural
resource depletion and problems associated with energy
and material conservation [1]. C&D waste also creates
negative impacts on the environment, economy, and in
the public health and social life [19]. The negative
environmental impacts of C&D wastes are water and soil
pollution, air pollution, and adverse effects on flora and
fauna, whereas loss of primary resources and fuel
consumption in transportation are the economic impacts
[19]. Similarly, public health and societal life get
influenced by health hazards, consumption of public
space, and a negative impact on work safety [19].
The management measures such as on-site waste
reduction, implementation of waste management plans,
and the technique-oriented approaches like the adoption
of prefabricated components and prefabrication
techniques have to be followed to minimise the C&D
waste in the construction industry [19]. C&D waste
minimisation helps to reduce the environmental stress of
the population [20], and the sustainability in the
construction industry can be gained through the
designing of deconstruction and disassembly of
structures during the design stage [17]. Through design
and construction strategies, C&D waste generation can
be controlled, and C&D waste can help to create useful
products [17]. Therefore, zero waste is an idealistic
concept to address the critical waste issue in society,
which is an ambitious goal to handle waste [21].
4. Zero waste
The current waste management issues such as lack of
resource conservation, pollution control, and recovery in
the integrated waste management have led to an
innovative waste management approach called "Zero
Waste" [2]. According to [22], the Zero waste concept
includes the prevention of waste, behavioural change,
and a high level of recycling and resource recovery.
Waste materials are converted into useful resources
through the zero waste concept [23, 24], and thus, the
C&D waste issue can be solved effectively by
redesigning the resource life cycle so that all products
are reused through the zero waste concept [3]. According
to [14], the traditional views of waste management are
challenged through the implementation of the zero waste
concept. It is believed that zero waste strategy needs to
move in a cyclical system according to a cradle-to-cradle
approach rather than moving in a linear system, to ensure
the effective use of materials [1].
Adopting zero waste concept triggers community
benefits, economic and financial benefits, environmental
benefits, and industry and stakeholder-specific benefits
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[24]. Community benefits such as public health risk
minimisation, the increase in job offers by recycling and
usage practices, and by the opening and consolidation of
waste collection and separation cooperatives can be
gained [24]. A reduction in cost and increase in profit,
prevention of the costs of environmental restoration,
losses related to process inefficiency, increase in profits
from the sales of recycled materials, and an increase of
income flow can be accomplished via economic and
financial benefits [24]. Moreover, the environmental
benefits of zero waste management are a reduction of
waste generation and negative impact, extend the useful
life of sanitary landfills and increased efficiency in using
raw materials and reduction of virgin raw material
extraction. Other environmental benefits are the
reduction of greenhouse gases emission and energy
consumption because of the higher eco-efficiency of the
production and recycling processes, creating opportunity
to produce energy through wastes and the sale of carbon
credits, increased environmental protection, and
reduction of the use of toxic materials in the products
can be identified as environmental benefits [24]. The
industry and stakeholder benefits that can be achieved
are the improved efficiency and productivity, improved
product design to extend life cycle, an increment of
companies' competitive potential through customer
satisfaction and increased reliability, an incentive to the
elaboration of a sustainable chain of suppliers, and
industrial symbiosis practices [24]. In order to eliminate
environmental threats caused by human behaviours and
consumption, both product design and waste
management principles are considered under zero waste
management [2]. Besides, [2] has elaborated that the
zero waste concept ensures all the discarded waste is
either recycled, recovered, or nourished through natural
processes, without harming the natural environment.
Therefore, zero waste concept helps to safeguard the
natural resources and minimise the adverse
environmental impacts.
5. Strategies for Zero Waste
Implementation of new waste handling methods and
approaches have led to changes in the waste
management system [25]. The waste can be managed
effectively through prevention and minimisation [26]. If
C&D waste creation cannot be controlled, then strategies
such as scrap metal dumpsters and recycling the scrap
metal, returning waste products into corporate inventory
and offering unused materials for future projects, and
selling the unused materials to recyclers can be followed
to handle C&D waste [17]. Similarly, material handling
and control, training and supervision, procurement
related strategies, management of subcontractors and
workforce, and communication and documentation
strategies can also help to manage C&D waste in the
construction industry [17]. In addition, [27] have stated
that capacity development, bridging policy gaps and
harmonizing policies, creating economic opportunities,
social marketing and advocacy, sustainable financing,
knowledge management on technologies and innovation,
good governance, organizational development and
enhancing inter-agency cooperation, caring for
vulnerable groups, compliance monitoring, enforcement
and recognition, and reducing disaster and climate
change risks can also be used to manage waste. Waste
treatment strategies have shifted from landfilling to
incineration in recent years [28]. Similarly, strategies
such as, reinforce the source control, economic
incentives, use of innovative technologies, management,
and supervision enhancement and design effective
circular model can be used to manage C&D waste [29].
An effective strategy implementation along with reliable
performance measurement is needed for zero waste
management [2]. Mainly four levels, i.e., design,
manufacturing, application, and recycling and disposal
are followed in the application of the zero waste system
[3]. Firstly, at the design level, a method of energy and
environmental analysis could be used through eco-
design, life cycle assessment, new technologies, product
stewardship, and closed-loop supply chain management
[3]. Secondly, at the manufacturing level, cleaner
production strategies are used in the design and
manufacture processes to minimise waste emissions and
to maximise product output [3]. Thirdly, in the
application level, strategies such as eco-labelling and
environmental awareness are followed to meet
environmental criteria [3]. Finally, in the recycling and
disposal level, the effective environmental management
plans, schedules, and implementation and monitoring of
activities to improve environmental performance take
place [3]. Figure 1 summarises the above-mentioned four
levels:
Figure 1: Zero waste system [3]
6. Enablers for Zero Waste
Various enablers can be encountered to implement zero
waste concept in the construction industry effectively.
Legislation and policy, awareness and understanding,
manufacture of construction products, designing and
operating buildings, business, recovery of materials and
products, and economics were identified as enablers in
the construction industry for C&D waste management
[30]. Moreover, enablers can be divided into four sectors
as institutional, technological, internal action, and
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market influence, where institutional enabler creates an
environment which both stimulates and enforces change
[31]. Similarly, technological enabler provides the ways
and opportunities to make the changes while changes are
required through market influence enabler [31]. Further,
resources and capability to change are considered as
institutional enablers [31].
Similarly, some researchers have focused on analysing
the influencing factors for waste management and
identified factors such as technical, political, legal,
socio-cultural, environmental and economic [32]. In
addition, enablers such as design tools and guidance,
measuring the value of material/product, financial
incentives to use secondary materials, assurance schemes
for reused/secondary materials, awareness raising
campaigns, development of enabling technologies to
recover material, development of higher value secondary
markets, and viable take-back scheme have identified to
permit zero waste in the construction industry [30].
Working together with the government, professional
bodies, and academia to revisit existing standards and
rules, encourage local suppliers to produce green
products, and knowledge-sharing and training on the use
of new green technology also promote zero waste in the
construction industry [31].
Based on the findings of enablers to implement zero
waste concept in the construction industry, enablers such
as institutional effectiveness, a robust policy and legal
framework, public participation, innovative and cost-
effective technology, financial stability, improved
resource availability, effective waste segregation and
collection, and recycling and reproduction could be
followed [32]. Further, as per [24], governance and
planning, and operationalizing could help to achieve zero
waste in the construction industry. Through governance
and planning, enablers such as a substantial change in
behaviour and consumption, regulations of rates and
financial incentives, modifications in the logistic system,
and green innovation can be used, while enablers such as
product redesigning and qualifying infrastructure can be
used in operationalizing. Consequently, the government
should play a leading role by enhancing C&D waste
management regulations, for the timely release of the
waste amount, cultivating a better policy environment to
support waste recycling factories, and implementing an
active waste disposal charging fee to implement the zero
waste in the construction industry [19].
7. Barriers for Zero Waste
Barriers such as lack of policies, lack of legal
framework, and low level of public education,
insufficient payment and training for waste workers, in
addition to negative public attitude and availability of
open dumping grounds hinder the effective C&D waste
management [33]. According to [11], barriers related to
cost and time, associated with on-site waste
management, industry culture, lack of education,
competing for project priorities, and lack of financial
incentive make adverse impacts on improving the
environmental performance of C&D waste management.
Moreover, weak political will, ineffective representation
of communities in decision-making bodies, lack of
knowledge on green procurement, lack of planning,
monitoring and performance evaluation activities are
also identified as barriers for effective C&D waste
management in the construction industry [34]. Other
barriers that affect the C&D waste management are,
ineffective C&D waste dismantling, sorting, transporting
and recovering process, undeveloped individual
engagement, overemphasising recycle and non-
environment friendly methods during C&D phases of
construction projects, and ineffective C&D waste
management [13].
Achieving zero waste in the construction industry by
eliminating C&D waste is negatively influenced by
barriers such as lack of environmental commitment, lack
of technical expertise, poor social values and ethics,
large population, unscientific waste disposal, unscientific
planning, and ineffective process and administration
[32]. Another set of barriers identified by [20] explains
that C&D waste management is affected because project
participants are unaware the amount of waste generated
from their work practice, unwillingness and over-
reliance on sub- contractor, and prioritisation of progress
rather than minimising waste. Apart from that, C&D
waste management also affected by lack of time, money,
knowledge and expertise, ineffective cooperation among
project players, inability to measure construction waste,
and insufficient enforcement of laws and regulations on
waste management. Similarly, lack of waste processing
facilities, poor communication and coordination between
parties, poor awareness and behaviour from project
stakeholders, lack of awareness of the environmental
implications of waste disposal, cultural resistance to
implement C&D waste diversion, and poor project
processes and activities create difficulties to achieve zero
waste in the construction industry [16].
The primary barriers to reduce C&D waste are the lack
of building design standards for reducing C&D waste,
low cost for C&D waste disposal, and inappropriate
urban planning. Similarly, lack of guidance for a useful
C&D waste collection and sorting, lack of knowledge
and standard for reuse C&D waste, and a weak market
for reuse C&D waste have identified as barriers for the
reuse of C&D waste. Furthermore, an ineffective
management system, immature recycling technology,
under-developed market for recycled C&D waste
products, and immature recycling market operation are
the identified barriers influencing the recycling of C&D
waste [29]. Similarly, a varied commitment of senior
management and politicians, and the absence of training
programmes to explain the concept of Zero Waste
prevents the successful implementation of zero waste
concept in the construction industry [22].
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8. Conclusions
The construction industry is one of the key contributors
to the solid waste generation, and hence, waste
management in the industry is a challenging issue to be
addressed. Thus, this paper aims to identify the
strategies, enablers, and barriers to implement zero waste
concept in the construction industry. The paper has
identified that cement, timber, brick, concrete,
aluminium, plastic, steel, tile, paper and cardboard as the
types of C&D waste, and the C&D waste generation
imposes adverse impacts upon the environment, social
and health of the population. The paper further discusses
the zero waste concept, considers waste as a useful
resource. Zero waste means a holistic approach, which
eliminates wastes. Finally, the strategies, enablers, and
barriers were identified to adopt zero waste in the
construction industry, to realise the aim of this research
investigation.
The authors wish to acknowledge the support received from the
Senate Research Committee of the University of Moratuwa
under the Grant SRC/LT/2018/16.
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