The Development Of Construction Waste Production Indicators For The Irish Construction Industry

Abstract

This study has produced unit waste production factors (kg/m2) for new construction in Ireland for 2005. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that construction and demolition waste (C&D W) has increased from 1.52 million tonnes in 1995 to 16.28 million tonnes in 2006. These estimates are primarily based on C&D W quantities received at licensed and permitted facilities throughout the country. An audit methodology was developed and tested on 54 construction projects throughout Ireland over a twoyear period to examine waste production on site. Each project was assessed over a 6-month period providing a ‘snapshot’ analysis. Average unit waste factors of 70.27kg/m2 for new residential construction, 86.82kg/m2 for new private nonresidential construction, 138.94kg/m2 for new social infrastructure construction and 48.48kg/m2 for new productive infrastructure construction were generated. The generation of unit waste production factors for the different construction activities will enable the industry to benchmark their performance and provide indicators for future improvement.