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Practitioners Recycling Attitude and Behaviour in the Australian Construction Industry

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  • Vivian W. Y. Tam

    (School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
    College of Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Khoa N. Le

    (School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia)

  • J. Y. Wang

    (College of Civil Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • I. M. Chethana S. Illankoon

    (School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia)

Abstract

Construction waste management and recycling is widely discussed. However, at present there is still a significant amount of waste generated during the construction process. Considering this fact, this research aims to analyse the recycling attitudes and behaviours in the Australian construction industry. This paper investigates attitudes and behaviour towards recycling habits in construction; understands how recycling is viewed and carried out by practitioners in the industry; explains the causes of these states of mind; and formulates techniques that could be utilized to improve waste management and recycling acceptance within the industry and improve its effectiveness. Initially, the required data was collected through a questionnaire survey. Afterwards, a statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. It was found that the practitioners’ attitude towards recycling habits are positive; however, their behaviour is not as strong as it should be. This means that the industry is aware and concerned about recycling in construction and willing to improve the environment by developing recycling habits. Recommendations to improve attitudes and behaviour towards recycling habits are also suggested, such as legislation and market driven developments, improvements of waste management methods, provisions in work method statements, sharing research and applications in sub-industries and developing communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Vivian W. Y. Tam & Khoa N. Le & J. Y. Wang & I. M. Chethana S. Illankoon, 2018. "Practitioners Recycling Attitude and Behaviour in the Australian Construction Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1212-:d:141451
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Guanru Wang & Dariusz Krzywda & Sergey Kondrashev & Lubov Vorona-Slivinskaya, 2021. "Recycling and Upcycling in the Practice of Waste Management of Construction Giants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, January.
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