Quantifying and managing plastic waste generated from building construction in Auckland, New Zealand
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Other Title
Authors
Hernandez, German
Low, Joanne
Nand, Ashveen
Bu, A.
Wallis, Shannon
Kestle, Linda
Berry, Terri-Ann
Low, Joanne
Nand, Ashveen
Bu, A.
Wallis, Shannon
Kestle, Linda
Berry, Terri-Ann
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Grantor
Date
2022-05-14
Supervisors
Type
Journal Article
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Auckland (N.Z.)
New Zealand
construction waste management
circular waste economy
on-site waste separation
recycling
reuse
circular waste economy
New Zealand
construction waste management
circular waste economy
on-site waste separation
recycling
reuse
circular waste economy
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Hernandez, G., Low, J.K., Nand, A., Bu, A., Wallis, S.L., Kestle, L., & Berry, T-A. (2023). Quantifying and managing plastic waste generated from building construction in Auckland, New Zealand. Waste Management & Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 1, 1-9. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X221105425
Abstract
Each year, construction and demolition (C&D) waste contributes at least 25,000tonnes to the total amount of plastic landfilled in Auckland, New Zealand. The growing use of plastic in the packaging of building materials, use of polystyrene and products, such as building wrap, are contributing to this. Unlike countries such as the UK, most construction waste in New Zealand is not sorted on-site, and C&D waste is often co-mingled; therefore, minimal analysis on the recoverability of plastics has been attempted. This study identified and quantified the plastic waste stream produced from four construction sites, generated from various stages of construction in Auckland, New Zealand. Plastic waste was taken over three construction stages including demolition, exterior and weatherproofing and services and cladding, amounting to 112kg (or 11.2m3). The main types of plastic analysed were polyethylene, contributing 77% (by mass), and polyvinyl chloride, representing 31% (by mass). The main reason for the generation of plastic waste across the four sites was highly variable and dependent on construction stage. However, it was apparent that plastic packaging of materials was not the single area of concern, and plastic building componentry and protection materials should also be investigated for their contribution. This study supports the requirement for improved understanding and awareness around the composition and fate of plastic C&D waste. Long-term benefits to the construction industry are from raising awareness of the potential to make profits from valuable waste products and to improve environmental performance and reputation, for a competitive advantage in New Zealand.
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Permanent link
Link to ePress publication
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X221105425
Copyright holder
© The Author(s) 2022
Copyright notice
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International