Construction and Demolition Waste Minimisation in New Zealand: Challenges and Remedies

Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste contributes to half of the total landfill waste in New Zealand (NZ). Further, C&D waste is the largest waste stream in Auckland with 40% of waste going to landfill. This study adopts a mixed-method approach to collect and analyse data. In total, 37 semi-structured interviews were conducted with different groups from clients representative, contractors and policymakers and influencers categories. Subsequently, on-site observations on nine sites (construction, refurbishment and demolition- 3 from each) were conducted to validate the interview findings. The interviews and on-site observation provided remedy(ies) for each challenge: Waste minimisation clause in contracts (pre-design); client and contractor education (design); multiple bins and Toolbox meetings (construction); compliance to reuse and encouragement to clients and contractors (refurbishment); and technical and financial guidance and increase waste levy (demolition).

For efficient waste minimisation, actions from one group requires support from other two groups. For instance, if policymakers decides to fund community recycling centers, the client need to demand sustainable materials, and contractors needs to use them. This research is an attempt to contribute to United Nations’s Sustainable Development Goal 12 that ensures sustainable consumption of resources by achieving the Target 12.5 (substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse).