+44 3308180992Raghu Nath Prajapati* and Sabir Baidya
Effective construction management hinges on a robust waste minimization software system that accurately processes updated information. This study seeks to assess current practices and knowledge in construction waste management and to develop a system aimed at minimizing and controlling waste. The goal is to reduce waste percentages on construction sites while providing easy access to project status information via a comprehensive database, ultimately boosting contractor profits. To explore existing waste minimization practices and gather insights from contractors on implementing a new system, a survey and fieldwork research were conducted. The findings revealed that current practices are predominantly manual and lack effective systems or appropriate software for waste minimization. Most contracting companies do not track material waste quantities, amounts, or percentages. The primary challenge identified is the absence of user-friendly software for waste management and control. Many contractors attribute the waste problem to the reliance on traditional manual practices and the lack of a structured waste minimization system. While contractors recognize the limited focus on waste minimization, they do not view a shortage of qualified personnel as a significant issue. The survey responses varied considerably, reflecting a lack of precise knowledge due to the absence of consistent feedback and record-keeping on waste rates from previous projects. Formwork, sand, and aggregate were identified as having the highest waste percentages, averaging 22.69%, 18.23%, and 15.77%, respectively. Contractors expressed a strong willingness to adopt user-friendly software for construction waste minimization, with a preference for MS-Excel spreadsheets for ease of use.
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