Title: The causes of waste generated in Malaysian housing construction sites using site observations and interviews

Authors: Siti Hafizan Hassan; Hamidi Abdul Aziz; Mohd Nordin Adlan; Izwan Johari

Addresses: School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia; School of Civil Engineering, MARA University of Technology, 13500 Permatang Pauh, Penang, Malaysia ' School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia; Solid Waste Management Cluster, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Penang, Malaysia ' School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia ' School of Civil Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract: One of the main contributors to the waste generated in the Malaysian construction industry is housing projects. The main issues in this area are the lack of concern on the causes and contributory factors of waste generated. The objective of this study is to explore the causes and contributory factors that cause waste to be generated according to the material activity for the major waste generated in the housing construction sites. The identification of the waste causes by the material is significant as waste source detection. The methodology used in this study is site observations and interviews with the site personnel. The study found the similarity in term of the two major contributors; the management and the workers. From the study, the factors that cause waste to be generated are highlighted and the waste site checklist according to the material can be developed as a guideline for the site personnel and site management.

Keywords: waste generation; waste causes; housing construction; construction sites; site observation; interviews; material waste; waste source detection; Malaysia; construction waste; site management; construction workers; site personnel; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2015.069960

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2015 Vol.15 No.4, pp.295 - 308

Received: 08 Jan 2014
Accepted: 23 Dec 2014
Published online: 16 Jun 2015 *

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