Enabling zero waste concept in the construction industry: a literature review

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the leading economic players in any region. However, the continuous construction and demolition activities have resulted in the generation of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste. C&D waste management in the construction industry is still at an adolescent stage where effective reduction of C&D waste is considered as a challenging issue confronted by many economies in the world. Improper waste management has led to several issues related to environmental, economic, and social over the past years. Thus, C&D waste management is considered as a persuasive issue to be addressed. The “Zero Waste” concept has emerged as a solution to eliminate the C&D waste, which eradicates waste at the source and throughout the period of the construction activity. Many researchers have mentioned that efficient material management or waste minimisation plan is an essential process in zero waste. In this process, it is pertinent to consider the potential of which materials may generate less waste, re-useable, or recyclable, i.e., diverting materials from disposal to reuse or recycling during the construction. However, limited studies are available on zero waste management in construction industry. Therefore, this paper aims to review the importance of zero waste concept to the construction industry by critically reviewing the secondary data on waste management studies conducted in the construction industry. The paper further discusses the types of C&D waste, impacts of C&D waste, origins and causes of waste, the zero-waste concept, and the importance and its application in the construction industry. Strategies, enablers, and barriers to implementing zero waste are discussed, and finally, a conceptual framework is developed to achieve Zero Waste in the construction industry.