Tran, V D (2017) Evaluating the economics of construction and demolition waste minimisation and zero waste in the New Zealand construction industry. PhD thesis, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.
Abstract
Currently, up to 50% of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is disposed of in landfills contributing to significant environmental, social and economic costs to New Zealand. However, current understanding of C&D costs is poor both internationally and within New Zealand. This thesis addresses this deficit by developing a framework to evaluate the economics of C&D waste minimisation. An understanding gained from this research could help New Zealand develop appropriate strategies to address C&D waste issues. As the research problem is complex and wide-ranging, this study used a mixed-method approach. Semi-structured elite interviews with highly experienced construction personnel were used to identify factors affecting a C&D waste minimisation strategy. This also established the context of the economic evaluation framework. Economic modelling was subsequently employed to develop the economic evaluation framework. The framework was then applied on two case studies: 1) a development of a large education facility and 2) a refurbishment of a commercial office space. The study found that: a C&D waste landfill/cleanfill charge of $150 per tonne can a) deter construction from disposing of waste; and b) force construction to rethink waste disposal; C&D waste minimisation can offer clients benefits including tangible returns (i.e. cost savings) and intangible potentials (i.e. increased reputation); there are costs of implementing C&D waste minimisation - but benefits gained can outweigh such costs; and the optimal rate of reduction for C&D waste in the non-residential projects studied was 71% - 78%. Overall, this research has made a contribution to knowledge through the development of a robust economic evaluation framework. Moreover, the study has also provided an impetus for future work in C&D waste minimisation economics in New Zealand.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Tookey, J and Moore, D |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | economic evaluation; education; personnel; residential; landfills; refurbishment; waste disposal; New Zealand; case study; landfill; client; interview |
| Index terms: | strategy, construction and demolition, construction personnel, commercial office, minimization, interview, personnel, landfill, waste disposal, residential project, New Zealand, case study, modelling, construction industry, cost saving, economic evaluation, waste minimization strategy |
| Subjects: | management, economics, industry analysis, environmental engineering, data collection methods, workforce, Geography, economic development, algorithms, financial analysis, waste management, construction type, analytical methods |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Human Resources, Urban Studies, Digital Applications, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Cost Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here