An investigation of circular economy interventions for the reduction of Construction and Demolition Waste in Ireland.

Abstract

Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) volumes in Ireland peaked at 17.8 Million Tonnes (Mt) during the economic peak in 2007, before falling to 3Mt in 2011 after the economic recession. The most recent data available shows that an increase in economic activity has coincided with an increase in C&DW generation, with 8.2Mt produced in 2020 (EPA, 2022). With just three landfills left in operation in Ireland in 2022, this is particularly challenging for the Irish waste industry (EPA, 2021). As such, efforts need to be made to divert waste from landfill. A holistic attempt to reduce end of life waste is through the implementation of Circular Economy (CE) principles (WAPCE, 2020). However, the CE has yet to be effectively implemented in the Irish construction industry. In 2019, Ireland’s circular material use rate was the second worst in the European Union (EU) at 1.6%, compared to an EU average of 11.9% (DoECC, 2022). This research aimed to investigate CE interventions that reduce C&DW on construction sites in Ireland through utilising a mixed methods action research approach, which comprised of a literature review, case study and interviews. To achieve this aim, the literature review examined the CE and waste policies and legislation applicable to the built environment in Ireland and the EU, the causes, volumes, and composition of C&DW; and reviewed C&DWM practices and the barriers and incentives for CE implementation in the Irish construction industry. The case study involved developing a partnership with a building contractor based in Co. Galway. The case study comprised of forty site waste audits and ten semi structured interviews with participants from the case study contractor. Action research interventions were utilised to increase the awareness of the CE and improve waste management behaviours on three case study sites.

The study concluded that waste policy and legislation in Ireland has shifted focus from waste management to resource management in line with CE principles. However, client demands, conservative industry culture with a short-term focus, financial concerns regarding upskilling, uncertainty regarding the benefits of the CE and a lack of stringent legislation are the main barriers preventing the CE in the Irish construction industry. Resource Waste Management Plans (RWMPs), take back schemes, staff training, toolbox talks and displaying posters can help embed CE best practice principles within the case study contractor. This research focused on healthcare projects from one building contractor; future research could examine a broader scope of projects from multiple contractors. This thesis aimed to embed CE best practice within the case study contractor and address the scarcity of literature on the CE in the Irish construction industry.