WASTE IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Construction projects especially buildings have several parts of work namely structural, architectural, mechanical electrical and plumbing (MEP). Material (consumable material) is an important component as the main constituent in the establishment of a building, contributing 40-60% of the project cost. Material is an important role in supporting the success of the project. But at the implementation stage, the use of material by workers in the field will partly become construction waste. Construction waste is residual material from the construction process that cannot be used due to repair or deformation or accidental, so it cannot be used according to its function.

The emergence of a high level of construction waste in construction projects occurs if the material is not properly planned, managed and controlled. The large quantity of construction waste can be used as a benchmark for the success of a construction project. The less construction waste, the better the construction project work. Efforts to minimize construction waste are very important to do to increase contractor profits and reduce environmental impact.

What are the types of materials and what is the volume of each type of material that becomes waste, is a measure of the success of a project in controlling expenditure. Dominant materials that become construction waste in building construction projects are generally sand, coral, wood, and reinforcement bar. Sand and coral become waste due to misplacement and long storage in the open will reduce its quality so that it cannot be reused. Needs of wood length are not the same as the availability on the market so that purchases are made with a length that is slightly more than needed. This excess will become waste. For reinforcement bar, the standard size is 12 meters, but in use it is not needed according to the standard length, this excess will become waste. The more sizes used in a project the more waste produced. Efforts to reduce waste in the project are carried out by using fabricated materials, where the size is ordered as needed. Currently available precast concrete fabrication materials, finished wood frames, and reinforced steel bars that have been assembled. Other material innovations are expected to reduce construction waste in project.