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Deconstructing construction wastes: Exploring waste generation causes and their impact on project performances.
Usman Aftab1, Mughees Aslam2, Aman Ulhaq3
1PhD Schoar, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), H-10 Islamabad Campus, Department of Mechanical Engineering/ Engineering Management, Pakistan.
Plos One
|May 7, 2025
Summary
Construction waste in Pakistan stems from poor worker training, extended planning, and bad workmanship. Addressing these issues is key to reducing project costs, delays, and improving quality in the construction sector.
Area of Science:
- Construction Management
- Industrial Engineering
- Developing Economies
Background:
- The construction industry globally faces significant challenges with waste, impacting costs, timelines, and quality, especially in developing countries.
- Existing research often overlooks micro-level causes and their specific impacts on project outcomes.
- A gap exists in understanding the granular factors contributing to construction waste in Pakistan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze the primary causes of construction waste in Pakistan.
- To evaluate the collective influence of these causes on project cost, schedule, quality, and material management.
- To propose actionable strategies for waste reduction in the Pakistani construction sector.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach combining literature review, on-site inspections, and expert surveys.
- Two rounds of questionnaire surveys yielding 65 valid responses.
- Analysis using Relative Importance Index (RII) and mean value indexing, validated by 21 industry experts.
Main Results:
- Inadequate worker training and awareness identified as a critical cause of waste.
- Poor planning leading to extended project durations and material cost escalation significantly contributes to waste.
- Substandard workmanship was confirmed as a major driver of construction waste in Pakistan.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that inadequate training, poor planning, and deficient workmanship are the principal sources of construction waste in Pakistan.
- Expert insights provide practical recommendations for mitigating waste.
- Addressing these micro-level causes is crucial for improving the efficiency and quality of construction projects in Pakistan.
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