Abstract

Purpose: The UK construction industry produces up to one third of all waste to landfill. This study
aims to identify specific project practices impeding the reduction of waste in construction projects as
well as uncovering potential waste solutions throughout the project delivery process. The rationale
being that for such a drastic reduction in waste to landfill, holistic and extensive measures would be
required.
Design/Methodology/Approach: A two-way methodological approach was used. These comprised
of qualitative unstructured interviews and a quantitative questionnaire survey of three major
stakeholders in the UK construction industry: clients, architects and contractors.
Findings: Design factors remain the major cause of impediments to waste reduction to landfill.
Critical impediments include, clients making waste prevention a top priority in projects, overly
complex designs, waste taking a low priority compared to project time and costs, lack of concerns by
designers for buildability among others. Critical solutions include early supply chain involvement in
design process, choosing materials for their durability, early communication of design changes to all
parties, longer project programmes and better lead times, among others.
Practical Implications: In all, the target of halving construction waste to landfill based on the 2008
benchmark is achievable but would require construction companies to take it upon themselves to
implement the proposed solutions suggested by this study.
Originality/Value: The value of this research is to provide UK construction companies with solutions
to reduce waste and aid the reaching of the landfill target, as landfill is decreasing as a solution to
waste. In addition the cost savings on reducing waste could be crucial for companies in this current
economic climate.