Waste reduction on construction sites in Ghana- case study of selected construction companies in Kwahu east district

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to assess waste reduction on construction sites in Ghana- case study of selected construction companies in the Kwahu East District. The mixed research design was used for the study (quantitative and qualitative research design). The population for the study was one hundred and twenty five (125). The population of the study was made up of Managers and Supervisors of the Building construction companies in the Kwahu Municipality. Census sampling technique was used to select all the 125 Managers and Supervisors in the selected construction sites for the study. The data collection techniques used for the study involved questionnaires, interview and observation. Primary data was collected through a field survey of Managers and Site Supervisors at the selected Construction industries in the Kwahu Municipality. The questionnaire data was coded to enable the respondents to be grouped into limited number of categories. The SPSS version 18 was used to analyse data. The study findings concluded that most of the construction sites do not have waste management and recycling system in place. Moreover, 86 supervisors representing 69.9% agreed that an unskilled labourer can mismanage construction resources and create waste at the construction sites. Also, 80 supervisors representing 65% agreed that overdesign of building plans can create waste at the construction sites. Also, 84 supervisors representing 68.3% agreed that inadequate storage facilities can create waste at the construction sites. Moreover, lack of markets for recyclable materials also generated waste at the construction sites. The study concluded that to reduce waste at the construction sites there is the need to focus on quality and performance and provide safe transportation from the point of sale to the construction sites. The study recommended that the Supervisors’ of the construction companies in the Kwahu East District should reduce construction waste generation by promoting the recycling of construction waste. Again, management of the firms should employ competent and skilled labourers to work effectively and professionally to minimise the generation of construction wastes. This initiative is important because unskilled labourer can mismanage construction resources and create waste at the construction sites.