An Assessment of Material Waste Disposal Methods in the Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

The construction industry is faced with many challenges, among which is waste management. Aside from the fact that wastage contributes to time and cost overrun, it also has environmental implications in the form of pollution. However, the industry has the capacity to effectively manage waste, from generation to disposal. All stages of the management process are important, but scholars and governments have provided the final step, being disposal, unabated attention in order to ensure effective management. Potential waste disposal methods, including incineration, burning, landfilling, recycling, reuse, open dumping, pyrolysis, and shredding have emerged from the literature around the globe. Despite various waste minimisation and sustainable disposal options that are available, construction material waste is still increasing in Nigeria, while disposal remains a major issue for firms and government. Therefore, this study assesses disposal methods among construction firms to determine whether there is a relationship between their practices towards waste disposal. The research followed a concurrent triangulation design in a cross sectional survey, while data were collected via a convergent parallel mixed methods. The quantitative phase employed a structured questionnaire to collect data from 243 building construction firms, while the qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 65 professionals from 10 on-going construction projects in Lagos, Nigeria. The research revealed that landfilling is the most common method of waste disposal, which is closely followed by reuse as backfill and recycling. In addition, the study revealed no association between company’s ownership statuses, age, project specialisation, and disposal methods, except company’s size. In conclusion, the study establishes the need for regulatory policies, such as site waste management plan (SWMP), pay as you throw (PAYT), and landfill ban, which would minimise material waste and divert them from landfills. Recycling and reuse are recommended as sustainable approaches for waste disposal.

Sustainable Business Practices by Nigerian Organizations

“…Waste recycling saves raw materials, costs less, generates cash, creates jobs, and sustainable living [20,21]. [22] revealed landfilling as the most common method of waste disposal, which is closely trailed by reuse as backfill and recycling. Landfilling is a sustainable practice.…”

Construction and demolition waste management: A systematic review of risks to occupational and public health

“…If fuel isn't required, then alongside dumping and storage, combustion is a common disposal option (Nie et al, 2015) as it can rapidly reduce the volume and mass of waste, discharging the problem to the atmosphere. The prevalence of the activity isn't well reported, but surveys of Nigerian construction workers indicate 2.9% (n=243) (Ogunmakinde et al, 2019), and 16% (n=75) (Wahab and Lawal, 2011) of construction practitioners engaged in open burning activities as a method of disposal. Furthermore, construction wood that is sold for reuse as suggested by Dania et al (2007) is often burned as fuel, though the prevalence was not stated.…”

“…No data was found to determine risk in LIMICs other than Pb is still being used in paint in one LIMIC -Cameroon (Gottesfeld et al, 2013). (Nie et al, 2015;Ogunmakinde et al, 2019;Wahab and Lawal, 2011) or that it is used as fuel (Dania et al, 2007)  Risk of dioxin production is high, particularly from the combustion of PVC but also from wood sources (Carroll, 2001;Kodros et al, 2016;Lemieux et al, 2004;Wiedinmyer et al, 2014).  Emissions from CCA treated wood characterised (Wasson et al, 2005), noting that DRC formation was limited but levels of Cr, Cu, and As were very high.…”

Comparative analysis of waste reduction methods for sustainable manufacturing systems using concurrent triangulation model

“…Manufacturing industries will be sustainable when waste generated is reduced, re-used, remanufactured and recycled. Water, raw materials, non-renewable minerals and energy should be sustained so as to produce clean air, clean natural resources and a non-toxic environment that will reduce toxic environmental impacts [8]. Sustainability produces environmental awareness that helps us to safeguard our natural environment, remain diverse, and maintain balance in the ecosystem and safe the naturality of the world by protecting the earth from damages and ills of pollution in the environment [9].…”