Optimising material procurement for construction waste minimization: An exploration of success factors

Ajayi, Saheed O.; Oyedele, Lukumon O.; Akinade, Olugbenga O.; Bilal, Muhammad; Alaka, Hafiz A.; Owolabi, Hakeem A.

Abstract

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. Although construction waste occurs during the actual construction activities, there is an understanding that it is caused by activities and actions at design, materials procurement and construction stages of project delivery processes. This study investigates the material procurement and logistics measures for mitigating waste generated by construction activities. In a bid to explore the phenomenon from the perspectives of experts from the construction industry, this study used a combination of descriptive interpretive research and survey approach as its methodological framework. The study suggests that four features characterised waste efficient logistic and procurement process. These include suppliers’ commitment to low waste measures, low waste purchase management, effective materials delivery management and waste efficient Bill of Quantity. In addition, the key requisite strategies for mitigating construction waste through materials procurement include commitment to take back scheme, procurement of waste efficient materials/technology and use of minimal packaging. The use of Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery system and prevention of over ordering are also important for mitigating waste through materials procurement processes. These implies that while the key measures are critical success factors for reducing waste through procurement process, the four established features are required of all procurement process. Measures through which the procurement process could enhance waste efficiency are further highlighted and discussed in the paper. Findings of this study could assist in understanding a set of measures that should be taken during materials procurement process, thereby corroborating waste management practices at design and construction stages of project delivery process.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 7, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jan 7, 2017
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Feb 21, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 10, 2017
• Journal: Sustainable Materials and Technologies
• Electronic ISSN: 2214-9937
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Pages: 38-46
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2017.01.001
• Keywords: construction waste, purchase management, waste efficient procurement, landfill, phenomenology, materials delivery, materials take-off
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/889874
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2017.01.001
• Contract Date: Feb 21, 2017