Improvement of the Construction Refuse in Saudi Arabia - Literature review Example

Literature Review Evaluation and Improvement of Construction Wastes in Saudi Arabia and the UK State of Construction Wastes in Saudi Arabia and the UK Wastes from construction and demolition account for about 10-30 percent of wastes going to most landfills in the world. Construction waste materials are the unwanted residue that comes from demolition, modification and construction of buildings and structures (Williams I.D & Turner n.d). The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of which Saudi Arabia is a member produce about 120 million tonnes of wastes every year. Globally, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are the two biggest generators of waste per capita, and in the 2009 Middle East Waste Summit, it was revealed that 55 percent of wastes from the GCC countries come from construction and demolition (Williams I.D & Turner n.d). In view of this fact, reduction of construction wastes is now an important issue that compels stakeholders to initiate improvements in the construction industry through more efficient management of construction wastes. Saudi Arabia’s construction sector has been registering rapid growth over the years. However, there is a decrease in the quality of construction (Banawi 2013). The resultant effect is the generation of excess waste, which has its own impacts on the environment. The management of solid wastes in Saudi Arabia is big problem in the Kingdom. Every year, Saudi Arabia generates well over 15 million tons of waste with a big chunk of it going to the dumpsites and landfills (Al-Hajj, & Iskandarani, 2012). There are efforts to recycle, reuse and recover wastes, but these practices are still in their early stages and there is heightened attention towards them. The rate of recycling in the kingdom is between 10 and 15 percent. In the United Kingdom, there are huge amounts of wastes generated every year. Yearly, the UK generates about 100 million tonnes from the construction industry which is equivalent to 33 percent of the total amount of wastes generated (Al-Hajj & Hamani, 2011). These wastes come from construction, refurbishment and demolition. Part of these wastes goes through recycling, but the bigger portion of it is taken to landfills. The construction industry consumes huge volumes of resources. Every year, approximately 400 million tons of materials go into the UK’s construction industry (Al-Hajj & Hamani, 2011). With increasing populations and continued depletion of natural resource, there is an urgent need to address this manner of resource use and wastage of materials. The tightening of environmental legislation and increase in competition add to the need for urgent solutions. In view of these problems, the government of the United Kingdom set a benchmark for the reduction of construction wastes taken to landfills by a half. To achieve the target the government passed the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008. This put in place the requirement that that every construction project worth £300,000 should have a Site Waste Management Plan (Williams & Turner n.d). In England and Wales, the waste generated by construction companies every year is 53.5 million tonnes. A half of it is taken to landfills, 40 percent goes to land reclamation and only 9 percent of it is directly recovered or crushed to be used in the future. Construction and demolition wastes may mix with effluents from industrial establishments or come close to contaminated land ad get contaminated. No guidelines exist on which to base the classification of construction and demolition wastes (Al-Hajj & Hamani, 2011). Research done at the United Kingdom Building Research Establishment and the University of Manchester found that because of new taxes, contractors discovered that taking wastes to landfills uneconomic. They therefore, preferred low grade “land modelling”, or recycling and disposal on site. In the UK, landfills have been the cost effective waste disposal solution for years (Formoso, Soibelman, De Cesare, & Isatto, 2002). This has created a bad habit for contractor to rely on them, neglecting the sustainable waste management practices. Consequently, construction waste generation is increasing leading to a compromise of commercial benefits such as cost and time. Construction wastes are generated in large amounts due to poor management plans all though the lifecycle of the project beginning with project brief, to the design and eventually the construction process (Al-Hajj & Iskandarani, 2012). A study on waste audits on construction sites in the UK on the types of wastes produced in the construction industry using the visual characterisation method found that stones, soil, plastics and wood are some of the main types of wastes produced by small scale construction sites. Most of the wastes on-site come from leftover materials, materials used for packaging and off cuts (Williams & Turner n.d). The common perception is that a good quantity from the wastes resulting from these causes cannot be avoided due to popular working methods. Although the reduction of these wastes is not easy, there exists a big chance of re-using and recycling a big chunk of the wastes created on construction sites. Causes of Construction Wastes The generation of construction of wastes happens due to a number of factors. These factors fall into categories such as procurement, design, operation and material handling (Al-Hajj & Hamani, 2011). Most wastes come from problematic designs. Minimization of wastes needs to begin very early in a project. Wrong designs where there are so many cut-offs have been identified as being among the main causes of material waste. Using waste audits on construction sites and questionnaire surveys on small scale construction firms, William & Turner (n.d) studied the main factors affecting the generation of wastes on construction sites. The research exposed a deep rooted culture of extravagance in the small scale construction industry in the UK. It revealed that the main items in construction wastes are wood, soil, plastic and stones. The researchers perceived that a good quantity of the wastes produced could not be avoided because of the working methods being employed. Occasionally, most of the respondents undertook sustainable management practices because it is believed that SWM has no cost-effective benefits. The researchers concluded that there is a significant scope of improvement for waste management practices on small scale construction sites, with the most viable measures being the use of stock control measures and the application of skips in separation of materials (Williams & Turner n.d). Many construction companies find it easier to take their wastes straight into the landfills instead of applying methods that are less harmful to the environment. A study by Al-Hajj (2012) on the good construction methods to reduce the production of wastes on construction sites found that people on construction sites lack awareness and discipline. The study revealed that contractors focus most on how the work is progressing and they only see waste management as an extra cost that adds no value to the construction project. Construction wastes are generated in the lifecycle of the project beginning with the client all through to demolition. If the client can properly define the requirements at the time of procurement, there can be no need for forced change on the construction, and this can help to reduce the quantity of construction wastes. Research by Ekanayake & Ofori (2000) cited in Al-Hajj & Hamani (2011) found that change in design in the course of construction results in the production a significant amount of wastes on construction sites. If the client does not change the design, there may be mistakes in the design itself and problems in coordination between disciplines which may result in waste production. Other causes may be wrong procurement, lack of skills among the workers and poor quality control which substantially increases construction waste generation. In Saudi Arabia, most of the workers lack good education and have scanty knowledge about the generation of construction wastes and environmental awareness issues (Al-Hajj & Hamani, 2011). A study on the major construction waste causes and minimization activities revealed that rework variations, poor designs and inadequate awareness are the main factors responsible for materials wastes (Williams & Turner n.d). The study revealed that indirect causes of wastes on construction sites were the failure to have legal and contractual incentives. As a way of minimising material wastes on sites, techniques such as staff training and enhancement of awareness, delivering materials at the time they are needed and proper storage were applied. Construction sites were not found to be practicing measurement and segregation and recycling. According to Al-Hajj and Hamani (2011), contractors neglect and overlook environmental benefits. Changing the attitudes of contractors and workers can help to minimize waste generation. Tam & Tam (2008) cited in Al-Hajj and Hamani (2012), conducted an investigation that revealed that giving rewards and incentives to workers helps to increase their understanding and motivation towards waste reduction and this can amount to waste reduction by 23 percent. Companies should develop policies that focus on the enhancement of the knowledge of staff members, promotion of awareness and encouragement of contractors to prioritize waste management and environmental conservation practices. The attitudes of people in construction sites about the minimization of wastes can be significantly improved through education and training. Trained site operatives have high motivation towards site waste reduction than those without any training (Formoso, et al. 2002). A certain study in the UK describing the effects of the behaviours of contractors on waste management using the 3R’s practices (reduce, re-use and recycle) showed that the attitudes of contractors on waste minimization are generally positive (Williams & Turner n.d). More positive attitudes on waste reduction were registered for the more experienced, trained and educated contractors than the small and medium level contractors. Those contractors applying re-use and recycling practices also displayed more positive attitudes. Interestingly, those contractors who were totally ignorant about the dangers of construction waste to human health also showed positive attitudes towards waste management. However, many contractors do not see the need to sort out construction wastes. Construction site employees testify that waste management has no financial benefits and that companies lack incentives to promote effective management of construction wastes. To support this assertion, Teo and Loosemore, (2001) and Teo et al., (2000) both cited in Al-Hajj & Hamani (2012) carried out studies that revealed that operatives take part in waste reduction based on the support they receive from higher management. The studies further found that the contribution can be better if waste management was prioritised to the level of other objectives in project completion such as quality, cost and time. Improvement of the Construction Waste Situation in Saudi Arabia and the UK To improve the waste management situation in Saudi Arabia, there is need to create a healthy environment whose focus is on the waste sector. This general environment may have socio-economic development, legislation and technology. In the Kingdom, as far as the waste sector is concerned the general environment is not effective and therefore, it becomes a big hindrance for entrepreneurs and investors (Banawi 2013). Local municipalities together with the national environment agency need to come together to create the necessary environment to raise the level of the rates of recycling and pursue sustainability in the disposal of wastes. The two should forge close cooperation and ask for help from other agencies whenever they need it. There is need to limit the usage of landfills so that all the recyclable wastes do not find their way into landfills. Although the environment agency directive stipulates it clearly, working together with the authorities of cities in implementation can bring better outcomes. The government of Saudi Arabia should develop a comprehensive and progressive strategy and an open vision to give direction to waste management initiatives (Banawi 2013). A relevant example is the UK’s Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority with developed a Zero Waste strategy. The UK government went on to sign an a contract of 25 years with a company that would produce sophisticated equipment for recycling and waste management in nine cities in Greater Manchester (Al-Hajj & Hamani 2011). Another step would be the implementation of strict laws that are aligned with the objectives of the waste management strategy meant for commercial and domestic sectors. Increasing public awareness so that the society can be encouraged to collaborate with government in protecting the environment and conserving resources is also an option to consider (Banawi 2013). There is a pressing need for effective awareness campaigns about the plight of the environment and this should enrol the participation of social networking sites, municipalities, Islamic scholars, corporate, the media and educational institutions. Another important measure is to implement the segregation of wastes at the source so that wastes are separated into recyclables and non recyclables. Those that can be recycled should then be taken to material recovery facilities. These steps are appropriate for the creation of a basis for a healthy environment that can attract investors to the waste management sector. A systematic introduction of modern methods of waste management such as material recovery facilities, recycling infrastructure and waste-to-energy systems can help in the improvement of waste management and also create opportunities for business (Formoso, et al. 2002).). To improve the situation of waste management in Saudi Arabia, there is need for financial support, participation of stakeholders, use of modern technology and legislations. Waste management strategy implementation efforts must meet with strong political resolve and unwavering support from the public. Most Middle Eastern countries are moving towards sustainability in their construction industries and Saudi Arabia cannot afford to remain behind (Al-Hajj & Hamani, 2011). In the United Kingdom, the Site Waste Management Plan Regulations 2008 were developed by the UK government to promote the idea of sustainability in waste management in the construction industry (Williams & Turner n.d). Site Waste management promotes the minimisation of wastes through reduction, re-use and recycling. It therefore, helps to enhance efficient utilisation of materials and wider inclusion and use of recycled materials in the construction industry (Al-Hajj & Iskandarani, 2012). Although 80 percent of wastes from construction and demolition in the United Kingdom can be recycled and re-used, only 52 percent are recycled. Site Waste Management can bring about many benefits in the small scale construction industry. Through SWM, the impact of the process of construction on the environment is significantly lowered. This happens when dependence on raw resources is cut down and pollution caused by the manufacture of materials, transport and disposal in landfills is eliminated (Banawi 2013). In addition, it helps construction firms to spend less on construction. The identification of the right SWM methods for waste reduction should be preceded by the identification of the main components of the small scale construction waste stream. In the UK, waste management strategies do not focus so much on construction and demotion wastes (Al-Hajj & Hamani, 2011). However, Scotland is different because the National Waste Strategy of Scotland identifies four major waste sources one of them being the C&D waste channel which has warranted the creation of a C&D Waste Action Plan whose objectives are a proper review of the amount and location of the wastes, levels of reclamation of these wastes, and major players and hindrances to re-use. It also aims at developing and managing the market of construction and demolition wastes (Williams & Turner, n.d). The UK operates on the basis of the sustainable waste strategy. Based on this strategy, there is need to cut down waste production at all construction stages. The government sees the improvement of efficiency in the construction industry as being a priority. The sustainable construction strategy places emphasis on the reduction of wastes produced in every construction stage by considering the need to factor in the effects of design and decisions about construction and disposal so that resources and construction materials are effectively utilized. Through this strategy, the government urges people to renovate and refurbish buildings instead of building new ones. The strategy also discourages over-specification in materials (Banawi 2013). The Centre for Research in the Built Environment, Welsh School of Architecture, at Cardiff University in Wales, conducted a case study on the reduction of wastes on building construction. The results of the case study showed that there is a big variation is construction wastes based on the stage of construction from the time a contract agreement is made between the architect, client and contractor to the design and construction stage depending on the methods of construction being implemented (Al-Hajj & Iskandarani, 2012). The study identified certain practices as being the best for construction waste reduction. These are waste segregation, good handling of materials, and the improvement of the methods used in storage. Others are encouraging the flow of recycled materials in the market, improvement of relations between one company policy and another as a way of minimizing wastes on construction sites and proper storage and material handling (Banawi 2013). The researchers also identified other factors such as weak partnerships in the supply chain, irresponsible behaviour by certain contractors, how active the contractor is, ineffective communication between parties involved in the project and low interest fetched by re-used and recycled materials on the construction market. Common Practices towards the Reduction of Construction Waste Often, people use wastes prevention, management and minimization to mean the same thing. There are three ways through which wastes can be minimized on construction sites. These methods appear in a hierarchy with the first being waste prevention, followed by waste re-use and finally recycling (Williams & Turner n.d). The most effective way of minimizing wastes is reducing them at the source. Prevention of material wastes at construction sites may be achieved through a number of ways. Logistics management is one of these ways and in this technique. Many reports produced by the Waste and Resources Action Programme in the UK put emphasis on the implementation of a sophisticated material logistics plan (MLP) on construction sites for reducing wastes. Logistics management helps to avoid double handling and it ensures that the sufficient handling of equipment to reduce damage to the materials on a construction site (Williams & Turner n.d). Another strategy is supply chain management which works on the basis of long term commitment with subcontractors and suppliers. Proper supply chain management helps in the delivery of materials just at the right time so that generation of wastes from long storage is avoided. Research studies by Formoso, et al. (2002) on the generation of material wastes on 74 construction sites concluded that it is possible to avoid most of the wastes by applying inexpensive measures of prevention which are in most cases tied to managerial improvements and practices. Another way of waste prevention is the use of modern methods of construction. A study by the Waste & Resources Action Programme in 2007 revealed that if certain modern construction methods were replaced with traditional methods of construction there would be a net reduction in the levels of wastes produced (Al-Hajj & Iskandarani, 2011). Dainty and Broke (2004) cited by Al-Hajj & Hamani (2012) did a survey on methods used to reduce wastes in the UK. In the study, they found that there is an increase in the off-site prefabrication to curb wastes generation and damage. According to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), waste minimization should follow a number of specific steps. The first step is the optimization of building dimensions so that they match with the dimensions of standard material, modification of framing details as a way of optimizing the utilization of standard material size and utilization of available technology such as Auto-CAD for reviewing drawings and details to avoid making blueprints that are not needed and recovering materials when remodelling (Al-Hajj & Iskandarani, 2012). The second step is to make a plan to be used in preventing the generation of construction wastes by estimating the quantities of wastes that can be produced and they the wastes may be generated. Contractors ought to balance between the supplier and the strategy used for procurement by arranging with the suppliers to re-purchase unused items or recover the undamaged materials. They may also strive to ensure that materials are brought in are carried on strong pallets and containers that can be returned and to ensure that suppliers pick the containers and pallets the very day they bring in new materials (Al-Hajj & Iskandarani, 2012). The third step is for contractors to create an area for storage, and to develop good material handling practices to protect them from damage, while the fourth and last step is to keep materials on level surfaces that are elevated, and well protected to avoid warping, loses and twisting. There should be a specific area set aside for the storage of materials such as cut offs, metal, gypsum and others that may be utilised in future on the same site or somewhere else (Banawi 2013). It is recommended that workers should clean concrete chunks, disfigured blocks and other rubble that may later be used to backfill foundation walls. They should also avoid supplies and materials that exceed the acceptable levels of packaging (Al-Hajj & Iskandarani, 2012). Drivers of Material Waste Minimisation Waste minimisation drivers fall in four main groups which include legislation and economic issues, environmental and industry. The Saudi Arabia government can put in place government policies to help in the effective management of wastes. For example, the landfill tax is levied in many countries. To add to these regulations, contractual terms may be used to specify the right levels of segregation and minimisation of wastes, as well as the disciplinary measures for those who refuse to comply. Al-Hajj & Hamani (2012) conducted a study on the good construction methods to reduce the production of wastes in which they concluded that government needs to take harsh disciplinary steps on contractors as a way of motivating them to employ good methods to reduce the generation of wastes. The researcher found that many contractors have knowledge on what causes the generation of wastes, but they put into practice only a few measures for waste elimination. These measures include; making orders for material on time, proper storage and segregation of certain materials to be re-used or re-sold. As a way of motivating contractors to begin the implementation of efficient strategies for waste reduction, there is need for awareness, incentives and education related to construction. Al-Hajj & Hamani 2012). Another strategy is the use of environmental standards and assessment tools. The use of these tools and standards started following the 1992 Rio de Janiero Summit (Al-Hajj & Hamani 2011). The very first standard in the world (BS7750) came into being in 1992 through the efforts of the BSI. The following year, the European Union (EU) published the Eco- Management and Audit scheme (EMAS).several countries have adopted the ISO 14001 for Environmental Management System (EMS), whose publication was done in 1996. This standard calls for the minimisation of wastes and the creation of a comprehensive plan for waste minimization. To add to this, environmental assessment systems for sustainable buildings including CASBEE and LEED could be pegging their credit provision on the status of construction waste management (Williams & Turner n.d). Environmental standards aside, financial benefits associated with proper construction waste management should be an adequate incentive for waste minimization. In the long run, waste disposal is very expensive, but unfortunately, contractors still underestimate the real cost of wastes. References Al-Hajj, A., & Hamani, K.(2011). Material Waste in the UAE Construction Industry: Main Causes and Minimisation Practices. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 7(4), 221-235. Al-Hajj, A. & Iskandarani, T. (2012). Reducing Waste Generation on the UAE Construction Sites. Conference Paper. Banawi A. A. (2013) Improving Construction Processes by Integrating Lean, Green, and Six-Sigma. Doctoral Dissertation. University of Pittsburgh. Formoso, C., Soibelman, L., De Cesare, C., and Isatto, E. (2002). "Material Waste in Building Industry: Main Causes and Prevention." J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2002)128:4(316), 316-325. Williams I.D & Turner D.A (n.d). Waste Management Practices in the Small-Scale Construction Industry. Waste Management Research Group, University of Southampton. Read More