Summary: This study has moved the focus towards the top of the waste hierarchy by investigating the implementation of waste reduction strategies during the design and construction phases of two selected case studies, through a close collaboration with Scott Tallon Walker Architects and John Sisk & Son.
Construction and demolition waste (C&D W) is estimated to account for one third of all waste generated in the European Union (EU)
Generation rates in Ireland have fluctuated considerably over the past decade from 3 million tonnes (Mt) in 2001 to nearly 18 Mt in 2007 and back down to just over 3 Mt in 2014, demonstrating a direct correlation to the equally unprecedented economic growth and decline during this time. There is an opportunity at this time of relatively low construction output and economic recovery to rethink and re-imagine the design and construction process to promote a more resource efficient approach.
Waste management legislation and policy have evolved towards a focus on prioritising waste prevention and life-cycle thinking. This has, in turn, highlighted the key role of all construction stakeholders in contributing towards a more resource-efficient industry. The recent EU Communication on Resource Efficiency Opportunities in the Building Sector has called for the development of reliable indicators for C&D W management, the use of recycled content, the reusability and recyclability of construction materials and products, and design for deconstruction (plus other resource efficiency strategies). To date, C&D W research in Ireland has focused on end-of-pipe solutions by investigating the development of processing infrastructure6, the generation of waste production indicators, and the evaluation of different audit methodologies.
This study has moved the focus towards the top of the waste hierarchy by investigating the implementation of waste reduction strategies during the design and construction phases of two selected case studies, through a close collaboration with Scott Tallon Walker Architects and John Sisk & Son.
The result of the work is summarised in the following report, which describes the design and construction reviews that produced a set of simple and transferable lessons learned for the construction sector.
The waste management strategies implemented during the construction phase on one of the case studies was also benchmarked using a set of critical success factors adapted from Cha et al.
The major output of the project was the development of a Waste Reduction Toolkit for Design Teams comprising the following series of factsheets:
Principles for Designing out Waste
Procurement and Tendering for Waste Reduction
Materials Optimisation and Standardisation Off-Site and Modern Methods of Construction
C&D W Reuse and Recycling Opportunities
Deconstruction and Flexibility
