Front-end construction waste minimization strategies

ABSTRACT

With construction waste accounting for 40% of all waste produced in Australia, this paper evaluates front-end strategies to minimize physical site waste on Australian projects. Front-end strategies are those practices at the initial phase of the material logistics chain that will reduce or totally remove site waste, rather than simply treat the residual waste product.

Following a global literature review, a qualitative methods approach using a pragmatic research framework was developed. The respondent sample for this research was from across the spectrum of Australian building and construction industry, varying from industry company directors to general superintendents.

The paper observes that the historically rapid increase in construction waste will be exacerbated by the very real increasing risk of waste due to recovery from disaster damage (bush fire, flood and storm surge coupled with climate change). Increasingly intelligent front-end strategies that minimize waste have therefore become a high priority for action.

It is concluded that the most effective way to reduce construction waste in Australia is via regulatory change, requiring policies and procedures that focus on front-end strategies. This paper explores some opportunities for action in the areas of management, design and procurement in line with the themes identified in the surveys

KEYWORDS:

• Construction; Front End; Waste Minimisation Strategy

Acknowledgments

This paper was edited by Nina Giblinwright.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ken Doust

Dr Ken Doust (PhD, MEng, GradDip SystEng, BE (Civil), MIEAust) is  a director of Windana Research Pty Ltd, a co-director of the UCCRN Australian Oceania Hub and a coordinator of the Engineering Management Program at Southern Cross University (SCU). He has over 30 years’ experience at the senior management level in the strategic planning of infrastructure for railway transportation in both the private and public sectors. Dr Doust has expertise in sustainable climate change infrastructure planning and design.

Gianpiero Battista

Mr Gianpiero Battista (MBA, BBus Tourism, GradCert Marketing) is an academic at SCU. He is a senior lecturer at the SCU School of Engineering and the SCU School of Business where he is involved in the Master of Engineering Management and the MBA programs. As Deputy Mayor, Mr Battista is closely involved with the Lismore City Council infrastructure assets management program (which has a large capital works portfolio for this city of 50,000 residents) such as the recently completed $60 million sewerage treatment plant project. He has an abiding interest in construction waste research. Mr Battista recently presented a well-received technical poster on site waste minimisation at the November 2019 World Engineers Convention, in Melbourne, which was attended by 520 global delegates from over 70 countries.

Peter Rundle

Mr Peter Rundle (MSc (Rsch), MBA, DCE, M-EA, M-ASCE) is a chartered civil engineer, with over 35 years’ experience. He has held management positions on the planning, design and execution of numerous engineering projects, including 12 long-term assignments in 10 countries. He has worked on projects ranging from a bridge engineer in Saudi Arabia, to site manager of a US $2 billion mining development, and managed 22 feasibility studies. Mr Rundle has also worked as the project manager, country manager, regional manager, divisional COO with a staff of over 2,000, and director of international operations for a global engineering consultant.