Modelling construction waste performance - An arising procurement issue

Environmental issues are beginning to play an important role in construction contracts. Within this framework, construction waste is a growing area of concern. No longer is it possible to dump waste at the community's expense. The paper looks at the way that construction industry clients are responding to the need for better performance in this area. In the cases discussed there is a need for contractors to demonstrate how they will address waste performance by means of submitting a waste management plan as part of the tender assessment criteria. This requirement identifies the need for an analytical approach for characterising waste cost and environmental performance. There is also a need for an on going basis for auditing the achievement of performance. A cost analysis model is proposed and trialed on two residential projects. The approach implements the use waste performance standards which have been derived from extensive field studies. The cost planning approach allows the standards to be applied in a way that is relevant to the cost profile of the specific projects. The method is considered to be of interest to those involved in management oriented approaches to contracting and procurement because it identifies where waste minimisation strategies will be most useful in meeting perceived requirements.