Comparative study of models for quantifying waste in finishes phase of residential buildings

Abstract

Global concern about environmental impact caused by Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste has risen in recent years. C&D waste must be managed in an efficient way in order to reduce this environmental impact. For this reason, Governments are developing guidelines and control measures. In Spain, the regulatory framework for generation and management of C&D waste is the National Decree 105/2008, implemented in February 2008. Among other issues, it is required to quantify the amount of generated C&D waste and to separate each fraction when they exceed certain amount: concrete, ceramic, metal, wood, glass, plastics, paper and cardboard. Therefore, a reliable model for quantifying C&D waste in projects is needed in order to plan their subsequent management once they appear during the execution of the work. Currently, there are several theoretical and statistic studies for quantifying C&D waste in the project stage. Their objective is to establish the real composition and quantity of C&D waste. However, as they are based in statistic data or general project information, the results obtained are approximate value. In fact, most of them would need to check their data in construction sites. Given this shortcoming, this paper reveals the deviation between estimates from theoretical models applied to projects and the actual amount of C&D waste generated on site. This comparison is studied in a constructive system (finishes) in a residential building promoted by “Empresa Municipal de Vivienda de Sevilla, EMVISESA”. Results reveal that it is required a model for quantifying the expected amount of C&D waste to be generated on site: a) verified in construction sites, b) detailed by type and origin of waste.