Waste Generation and Recycling: Comparison of Conventional and Industrialized Building Systems

TLDR

Construction waste in Malaysia is a growing environmental concern, with large volumes generated by infrastructure, commercial, and housing projects, prompting a shift toward prefabrication and industrialized building systems to curb waste. The study reviewed literature and compared material wastage and recycling between conventional and prefabricated construction sites in Malaysia. Adopting prefabrication and IBS markedly reduces material waste, boosts reuse and recycling rates, shortens construction time, and lessens reliance on foreign labor, though implementation challenges remain.

Abstract

Problem statement: In the Malaysian construction industry, there is a pressing issue of minimizing construction waste, which cause significant impacts on the environment. With the increasing demand for major infrastructure projects, commercial buildings and housing development programmers, a large amount of construction waste is being produced. Adoption of prefabrication and industrialized building systems is now a priority in the industry and also an important means of reducing waste. Approach: Discussion of the prefabrication adoption were based on a comprehensive review of literatures and studies that contained data, information, findings and evidences related to prefabrication and industrial building systems in Malaysia. This study also highlighted a comparative study of material wastage and recycling based on two project sites e.g., conventional and prefabrication construction. Results: In the Malaysia construction industry, adoption of prefabrication and IBS is strongly encouraged to reduce construction time as well as the industry's dependency on foreign workers. In addition, this study confirms that a huge amount of material wastage can be reduced by the adoption of prefabrication. This study also revealed that the rates of reused and recycled waste materials are relatively higher in projects that adopt prefabrication. Conclusion: Thus, the adoption of prefabrication and IBS has potential in the reduction of huge waste generation and management problems in the construction sector of Malaysia although there are some challenges in the adoption of prefabrication.