Reducing Material Wastes in Building Construction Sites: An Action for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Construction material waste has both environmental and cost performance consequences. In this period of global economic recession and environmental awareness, it has become necessary to adopt effective waste reduction strategies in order to reduce the cost of construction projects as well as produce environmental friendly projects. The aim of the study is to identify the effective waste reduction methods in building construction sites so that developers and construction professionals can key into the different methods in order to bring about qualitative project delivery and enhanced sustainable development. Reviewing some literatures related to the topic, the study identified the sources of construction wastes, the implications of wastes and ways of controlling them. The review equally revealed that consciousness of the implication of waste is very little appreciated considering the fact that the level of environmental awareness and willingness to pursue the goal of sustainability in the country is low. In view of this, the study concludes that efforts at adopting green practices may not advance so much, as such it recommends that the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) should intensify efforts at coming up with better green practices and selling same for government approval, adoption and implementation across the country. Secondly, every construction projects must include a waste management plan as part of the prerequisites for their approval.

Keywords: Environmental Awareness, Green Practices, Sustainable Development, Waste Reduction