SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT TOOLS

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1 SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT TOOLS Jannatun Naemah Ismam, Ida Nianti Mohd Zin & Muhammad Redza Rosman Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying Universiti Teknologi MARA, Seri Iskandar Campus, Perak ABSTRACT Abstract - Sustainable construction has been tremendously publicized worldwide especially in developed countries. Thoughtful efforts have taken in some developed countries towards construction waste management (CWM) since it becomes one of the aspects that drive sustainability. Some organizations in developed countries seem to play an influential role in enforcing CWM initiatives among construction practitioner. This paper reviews governments initiatives implemented in Malaysia as well as presenting the discrepancies between current CWM practices among contractor against governments initiatives implemented. In turn, the objectives are directed to present the CWM tools as guidelines for achieving sustainable CWM. Data was collected through semi structured interviews among two groups; contractor (practitioners) and government (policy makers). The results were emphasized on 13 issues highlighted from these two groups. Using thematic analysis, 13 issues related to CWM practices were formulated into 5 main tools; goals alignment, comprehensive procedure of 3Rs in CWM, consistency and standardizing in CWM, extensive exposure among stakeholders, and Public and Private Intervention in CWM. Field of Research: Sustainable construction, construction waste, waste management Introduction Recently, the construction industry has been chased by the government to emphasize sustainability in construction projects. Numerous assessments were introduced by several developed countries as means to overview sustainability improvement. In Malaysia, construction industry was seen as prior contribution on sustainability movements. Construction waste has become one of the major agenda in socio-economic development (Ibrahim and Shakantu, 2016). Undeniably a few years back, construction waste in Malaysia recorded a huge amount of waste generation daily and concurrently led to the failure of sustainability recognition in most projects (Wahi et al., 2016; Osman et al., 2016; Yuan, 2013). Realizing several issues related to construction waste management (CWM) being a tremendous impact to the environment and nation, supportive initiatives have been taken by the government which is expected to be continuous measures for achieving an improvement in CWM practice in any projects. According to Mustafa (2011), Nagapan et al (2012a) and Victor and Agamuthu (2013) Malaysia has introduced several legal instruments and rules as reference for practitioners to apply throughout construction activities. The basic legislation instruments were embraced for waste generated in daily activities, for instance, Solid Waste and Public Cleaning Management Act 2007 (Act 672), which focused on domestic waste rather than construction waste. The standards specifications for buildings works (SBW) was utilized when the contractors handle government projects via the Public Works Department (PWD). Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA) overviews the procedure of dealing with environmental issues, environmental protection, and Malaysia. Organized by 142

2 control. Pembinaan Malaysia Act 1994 (Act 520) was an instrument relied on for construction works process, considering pollution, prevention, and controlling each activity in construction process. Based on these legislative instruments, it was indicated that initiatives have been implemented in Malaysia but still at an early stage. 2. Construction Waste Management Implementation Initiatives From previous researches, there are three government bodies involved in managing construction waste which are the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation, Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) (Nagapan, 2012). The role of these bodies in creating several initiatives as means to improve waste management practice seems still in progress (Nagapan et al., 2013). The National Solid Waste Management is reviewed as a policy that is used as a reference for all types of waste management. In terms of thrusts embarked in this policy, Wee et al (2015) pointed out one of the thrusts which represents the practice of reduce, reuse and recycle (3R) which is also emphasized in the Tenth Malaysia Plan (Sasitharan Nagapan et al., 2013; The Economic Planning Unit, 2010). Nevertheless, Malaysia nowadays aimed for sustainable development, where several initiatives have been promoted to all stakeholders (Zainul Abidin, 2010). In the means of achieving the aim, construction waste has been looked as a component of concern. Recently, Rahim et al (2014) have discovered that construction waste generation has reach approximately 30 to 35% of the project s production cost. It was estimated that waste generation may reach tonnes per day by Furthermore, inefficient CWM has resulted to illegal dumping and gives a huge impact on global warming (Papargyropoulou et al., 2011; Nagapan et al., 2012b). Most people assume that a construction project is only a temporary activity that lasts for a few years but in reality, this industry is one of the major causes of environmental degradation because it consumes large amounts of natural resources and produces a great deal of pollutants (Rahim et al., 2014). This issue therefore sets out the effects of improper construction waste, which traced as a cause of slow movement of sustainable development and one of the reasons why Malaysia is still at its initial phase compared to other developing countries (Oh et al., 2010; Radhi, 2009). CWM is a debatable issue regardless among practitioners or researchers. It is due to the unsatisfactory level of CWM in Malaysia (Osman et al., 2016). There are policy-planning tools which are not widely accepted at the moment and comply with the practitioners practice. It is proved as an external restriction of CWM practices among stakeholders especially contractor (Victor and Agamuthu, 2013). In addition, Nagapan et al (2012b) and Papargyropoulou (2011) have pointed out that greater emphasis in government policies is required in specific area of CWM practices. It is due to the few elements of CWM emphasis in policy, regulation or any governments instruments lead to lack of CWM practices in construction industry. As what that has been experienced in China, lack of detailed and defined CWM practices based on 3R strategy in policy, regulations or in any governments instruments led to lack awareness on construction waste minimization or environmental protection when undertaking construction projects (Begum et al., 2007; Yuan, 2013). The issues highlighted shown that CWM is still obscure to contractor whereby it might be a complicated compliance practice for projects unless it is driven by clear and precise instruments. Therefore, it is suggested to review involvement between both parties namely the contractor and government, on few initiatives taken such as policy, regulation or any instruments related to CWM. The purpose is to study discrepancies between current CWM practices among contractor against governments initiatives. Subsequently, this paper will present the impediments and requisites for Malaysia. Organized by 143

3 CWM practices through government implementation initiatives. Masudi et al (2011) have agreed that government as policy makers and enforcer who are responsible towards CWM practices and will be the one of the main target for identifying the possible issues related to the initiatives taken. 3. Research Methodology This research adopted the qualitative approach by way of semi structured interviews. Respondents selected for interview sessions were based on researcher s judgment towards respondents on specific expertise (judgment sampling)(creswell, 2012). Respondents comprised of two groups, namely contractors (practitioners) and government (policy maker). These two groups were selected due to expertise and experience on CWM. From the 65 respondents who were experienced in cross sectional survey, there were only 13 candidates willing for further interview sessions. There were 10 respondents comprised of contractors from G7 and another three were interviewed among top management of CIDB, Solid Waste Corporation, and National Solid Waste Management Department. From these different groups, the data were recorded and transcribed to discover the differences and similarities. Data collected was analysed by using thematic approach. Table 1: The designation and field of respondents involved Group Designation Profession/Department Contractor Government Senior Project Manager Senior Project Manager Head of Construction Head of Construction Senior Project Manager Senior Project Manager Senior Project Manager Project Director Project Director Project Director Engineer Senior Assistant Manager Director Technology And Research Department Monitoring And Reinforcement Department National Solid Waste Management Department 4. Results and Discussion An initiative has been clarified as the power owned by an organization such as government in initiating the first step of action either in the form of legislation, plan or policy. There are three components that lead to successful implementation initiatives which are mission, enforcement and involvement (Williams, 1980; Filip, 2007; Ismam and Ismail, 2014). A discrepancy of CWM practices versus Governments initiatives was discovered through these three components whereby different perception identified the impediments and requisites of CWM practices in Malaysia accordingly. Malaysia. Organized by 144

4 4.1 Mission: Strategy The 3R-strategy in CWM practices that was introduced by the government are reduce, reuse, and recycle. As a way of reducing waste disposal to landfill due to limited space, this 3R was emphasized as a waste management strategy to manage any waste produced in daily activities either in commercial building, construction site, household, industrial, institutional, imported and public solid waste (The Economic Planning Unit, 2010). In construction industry prospect, the strategy purposed was intended to resolve a difficulty or improve the CWM practices among contractor or at project level. Good strategy should be followed up with good governance in each element at different stages whereby government, acting as the policy maker has to ensure the acceptance of this strategy and its compliance among construction players (Nurdin et al., 2011). The mission on CWM through 3R strategy in Malaysia is still viewed as unclear whereby contractors are still doubtful on how to apply and adopt that practice on site. Most of the contractors are expecting clear and standardized decisions and process to achieve consistent and effective strategy. Basically, the process of CWM in respect to 3R strategy has been formulated but more attention and enforcement are given only to domestic waste production. This is due to the fact that the percentage of domestic waste generated exceeded the construction waste and thus need more attention. Due to unclear 3R strategy plan in the context of construction industry, few companies are taking their own initiatives by formulating CWM Plan whereby the plan formulated was still in compliance with government 3R strategy. Therefore, different perspectives on CWM practices among companies would imply different waste management philosophies. The consequences of different practices might be difficult for certain practitioners to adopt the CWM specifically to small company with lower budget of project tendered. One of the respondents has realized that Green building Index (GBI) and Industrialized Building System (IBS) can be strategies for managing construction waste by reusing materials from one product to another, as to achieve sustainable construction. Yet, IBS in Malaysia is still at its infancy stage, which requires precision planning aspects and management of materials. As previous studies have shown, the IBS and GBI strategies were discussed as good agenda in achieving sustainability in construction industry in order to reduce the environmental impacts and their effect to human life. Nevertheless, practitioners stated that there is still less endeavour in terms of implementation and enforcement besides the lack of exposure on procedure in adopting this concept at project level especially among practitioners. In some extent, it is challenging for contractors to apply this concept in real life projects 4.2 Enforcement: Regulation, Policy and Guideline Previous studies have shown that poor management of construction waste resulted to delay in achieving sustainable construction (Papargyropoulou, 2011). Looking on the issues faced by the contractor, most of them said that government s enforcement was lack of emphasis on CWM among practitioners and thoroughness on CWM guidelines at project level. Basically existing enforcement is focused on safety and health aspects whereby construction waste collection and disposal would be the most concerned issues to avoid any accident. It seems that there is existing enforcement priority only to the last stage of waste management that is the disposal stage and less emphasis on the management and monitoring of waste through the 3R procedure from the beginning of the project until its completion. Most researchers have discovered the impact of weak enforcement and less Malaysia. Organized by 145

5 implementation of initiatives undertaken by the authorities who are responsible to control some initiatives either through policies, laws and others mechanisms (Papargyropoulou, 2011). Existing Malaysian implementation initiatives have found that elements of construction waste appeared less for instance in the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Nagapan et al., 2012). Instead of referring to existing CWM guidelines, some companies have taken initial steps in conducting their own CWM plan among construction team in order to comply authorities requirements. Consequently, uniformity of CWM practices cannot be accomplished and complicate the assessment process on site especially among authorities. Interview sessions conducted among authorities noted several opinions that construction waste are not an interesting issue to be argued by the authorities. There are policies, guidelines and mechanism related to waste management and the stringent enforcement through 3R strategy concentrated on domestic waste that recorded high percentage of waste production per day. In normal practices, all practitioners have responsibility in handling waste generated as requested by authorities especially in terms of waste collection and waste disposal. Nevertheless, from existing initiatives, the elements of reduce, reuse and recycle depended on practitioners initiatives since it is a recommendation from the authority and not mandatory to be done on site. An effective waste management must be fully embraced by local authorities through several aspects since waste generated need to handle in different procedure. 4.3 Involvement The interview sessions were conducted between two parties involved in CWM practices which are authorities and practitioners (contractor) to look into their different views. The practitioners have expressed that lack of involvement and cooperation existed between authorities and contractor caused mismanagement of construction waste in accordance to 3Rs strategy. Discrepancies between these two parties have been identified through lenient enforcement on CWM practices towards 3Rs strategy. Meanwhile, practitioners have chased to practice CWM strictly on site. Based on respondent s experience, an inspection would be implemented by local authorities as if there is a complaint delivered from outsider nearby to the project site. Recently, all practitioners are struggling to adopt reduce, reuse and recycle waste generated on site which considered as a huge challenge with less guideline and unclear CWM Plan. Appropriately, to establish the best attitude and discipline among practitioners, it should be monitored thru unceasing enforcement as to show the determination by the authority in dealing with the CWM in Malaysia. Moreover, some practitioners are ready to cooperate and comply to the rules and regulation related with CWM practices but less understanding and cooperation among those who monitored CWM practices such as Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Solid Waste Corporation and National Solid Waste Management Department who come out with different philosophies of CWM practices and actually gave huge challenges to practitioners. Additionally, cross requirements from these three bodies tend to build a conflict between different organization and practitioners accordingly. This situation consequently created a negative perception among practitioners toward legislature roles in enacting a uniform law. Discrepancies between the roles of the two or more parties make it difficult to achieve CWM practices through 3R strategy. Malaysia. Organized by 146

6 Some respondents stated that there are still lack of involvement on CWM practices especially from small projects as if there is less inspection and enforcement on CWM on site. This small group is intended to dispose the waste generated illegally. Respondents from authorities have stated that it is actually caused from mentality of some practitioners who not aware on CWM practices and consequences of disposing the waste at the wrong place. From practitioners view the negative mentality was due to the lack of knowledge with less exposure on CWM practices among practitioners as well as authorities who are responsible to monitor CWM practices. Uncertainties on the CWM practice and discrepancies viewed from two different parties and it was the reason why Malaysia is still at infancy stage in moving towards sustainable development. Malaysia. Organized by 147

7 Table 2: The discrepancies of cwm practices versus governments initiatives through government implementation initiatives Government Implementation Initiatives Mission and Strategy Enforcement Involvement Authorities Practitioners Keywords The process of CWM in respect to 3R strategy has formulated but more attention and enforcement are given to domestic waste production. Green Building Index (GBI) and Industrialized Building System (IBS). IBS has been known as a strategy for managing construction waste. Enforcement is focused on safety and health aspects whereby construction waste collection and disposal would be the most concern issues on site as measures to avoid any accident. There are policy, guidelines and mechanism related to waste management and the stringent enforcement through 3R strategy concentrated on domestic waste that recorded high percentage of waste production per day Practitioners have chased to practice CWM strictly on site and there are still mismanaged of construction waste in accordance to 3Rs strategy. Construction Industry Development Board, Solid Waste Corporation and National Solid Waste Management Department have come out with different philosophies of CWM practices. Mentality of some practitioners who not aware on CWM practices and consequences of Unclear procedure and content whereby contractors are still misgivings on how to apply and adopt CWM on site. Inconsistent implementation initiatives and enforcement basically as challenges for contractor apply this in real even though they have actually known the existence of this strategy. Less effort in terms of implementation and enforcement besides of less exposure on procedure in adopting this strategy at project level. Lack of emphasis on CWM among practitioners and thoroughness on CWM guidelines on 3R strategy on site. It seems that existing enforcement priority to the last stage of waste management called as disposal stage. The elements of reduce, reuse and recycle was depending on practitioners initiatives since it is a recommendation from the authority and not mandatory to be done on site. Lenient enforcement on CWM practices towards 3Rs strategy caused of lack of involvement and cooperation existed between authorities and contractor. Practitioners are struggling to adopt 3R strategy on waste generated on site which considered as huge challenges with less guideline and unclear CWM Plan. Cross requirement from these three bodies tend to build a conflict between different organization and practitioners accordingly The negative mentality was due to the lack of knowledge with less exposure on CWM practices among practitioners as well as No specific attention on CWM practice Unclear process of 3R strategy Inconsistent implementation initiative Less exposure on CWM practice at project level Lack of enforcement on CWM practice on site Lack of thoroughness on CWM guidelines based on 3R strategy No standardized procedure on CWM practice Mismanaged of construction waste in accordance to 3Rs strategy. lack of involvement and cooperation existed between authorities and contractor Less guideline and unclear CWM Plan Different philosophies and cross requirement of CWM among statutory authorities. lack of knowledge with less exposure on CWM practices among practitioners as well as authorities Malaysia. Organized by 148

8 disposing the waste at the wrong place. authorities who responsible to monitor CWM practices. Awareness on CWM practices Malaysia. Organized by 149

9 5. Conclusion and Future Recommendation Through carrying out the semi structured interviews, the impediments and requisites of CWM practices were clearly presented. The results highlighted 13 issues pointed out from two parties that are contractors and the government. From the 13 issues arisen, it was found that five main components should be considered to ensure CWM practices through 3R strategy can be achieved. The results suggest goals alignment is necessary due to cross requirements from different organization in practicing CWM, and at the same time, to establish a good cooperation and contribution from different parties. Besides that, comprehensive procedure on 3R strategy that focused on CWM should be considered as significant issues as to avoid any doubt or mistakes especially among contractors. All types of project and company should be encouraged to adopt the same procedure of CWM and enforcement from government is mandatory for each project. As to improve CWM practice among both parties, there should be extensive exposure such as workshops and advertisements on CWM practice. Nevertheless, good cooperation among contractors and government in CWM practices are also considerable, which both parties should take their role in ensuring that CWM practices in Malaysia move towards sustainability. Therefore, based on thematic analysis, five main tools for achieving sustainable CWM were proposed. These tools comprised of goals alignment, comprehensive procedure of 3Rs in CWM, consistency and standardized in CWM, extensive exposure among stakeholders, Public and Private Intervention in CWM. 6. Methodology Figure 1: Sustainable Construction Waste Management Tools The researchers express their gratitude for the financial support from Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak, Seri Iskandar Campus, UiTM, Malaysia. Furthermore, a deep thanks to Dr Ida Nianti Mohd Zin and Muhammad Redza Rosman for their intellectual contribution in this paper. Malaysia. Organized by 150

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