A review of construction waste management practices on selected case studies in Ireland

To date, the construction and demolition waste research in Ireland has focused on end-of-pipe solutions by investigating the development of processing infrastructure, the generation of waste production indicators and the evaluation of different audit methodologies. This paper takes a more novel approach by examining the implementation of waste reduction strategies during the design and construction phases of two selected case studies, through a close collaboration with the industry (Scott Tallon Walker Architects and John Sisk and Son Building Contractors). These original findings suggest that both the design and construction phases do offer significant waste reduction opportunities through the reuse of existing sites, minimisation of excavation works where possible, preparation of site waste management and subcontractor waste minimisation plans, setting of waste targets, application of design 'freezes' where appropriate, use of low waste technologies, use of materials optimisation in selected work packages, the use of off-site construction techniques, use of a mini-skip distribution network and source segregation and through the reuse of waste materials on site where possible.