SR88 Construction site waste generation - the influence of design and procurement in Auckland (2007)

This report discusses what influences there are on the generation of construction site waste. The research involved is part of a long-term effort to reduce the amount of material waste from building and demolition sites that is destined for the landfill.

From the results, the following critical influences were identified:

• There is very little importance placed by architects on waste minimisation. In association with this, there is a lack of operational material waste minimisation plans and strategies.
• Architects and quantity surveyors think that creating a buildable design that allows for a logical sequence in construction and avoids variations on site minimises the amount of waste material generated.
• Architects believe that accurate and integrated project information and making waste reduction efforts financially beneficial to the client help mitigate waste production.
• CAD is seen by architects as a waste generator rather than a waste reducer, both in terms of materials (paper generated) and time (for all but repetitive design).
• Contractors cite the use of standardised forms (both in the room and material sizes), so that cutting sheet materials to fit can be reduced, as the most important factor in reducing waste.