An evaluation of waste control measures in construction industry in Nigeria

Abstract

Improper control of materials during different stages of construction has caused waste and associated environmental problems. Hence, this research assesses the forms, causes and factors incidental to waste and measures to effectively control construction waste. It is shown that among the factors incidental to waste, last minute client requirement was ranked highest as the factor that leads to design variation with relative importance index value of 3.97; cost of construction materials was ranked highest as a factor that affects selection of construction materials with relative importance index value of 4.05, and construction cost was ranked highest as the factor that leads to construction method with relative importance index value of 3.86. The research also showed that most of the firms do not calculate waste indices which could assist them to determine the amount of waste that could be generated on sites. Sorting exercise that could help firms to identify economy advantage associated with the waste streams is not adequately carried out. It was also discovered that most firms do not incorporate “waste management plan” into the collection of documents that are required of contracting firms during tendering process. To control waste, designers should be able to co-ordinate dimensions between materials specified during design and those procured for use at sites. There is need to allow proper control in the handling, storage and use of materials on site. Also, “waste management plan” should be incorporated as one of the documents dearly expected to be submitted by contracting firms during tendering process.

Key words: Construction processes, waste, factors, effects, control measures.