IDENTIFICATION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT INFLUENCE FACTORS IN

PHILIPPINE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Engr. Christian R. Orozco1, M.Sc. and Engr. Stephen Dominic C. Maningas2

1

Assistant Professor, Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman

2

Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman

Abstract : Huge amount of construction and demolition wastes are generated in the Philippines every year. With its economy
steadily growing, these numbers are expected to increase further with several infrastructures in the pipeline. Effective and
sustainable waste management methods are therefore important and timely. This study aims to document waste management
practices in Philippine construction industry and to identify and assess waste management influence factors or WMIF in
Philippine construction sites. A survey was conducted among a large sample of construction stakeholders to determine their
perception on the benefits of waste management planning and to identify WMIFs that when introduced to waste management
plans, will improve construction waste management performance. It was documented that Philippine contractors employ an
array of method to manage their waste on-site. Results indicated that majority of the stakeholders recognize that construction
waste management has its benefits, which includes cost savings, increase in profit, reduced dumpsite disposal, improved
company reputation and acquisition of new projects. Results of the survey and interviews showed that a total of 24 WMIFs are
significant for Philippine construction industry stakeholder with factors under the construction method and materials and
equipment as most significant.

Keywords : construction waste, waste management, influence factors, sustainable construction

1

INTRODUCTION

Construction wastes are defined as byproducts that arise from

construction, renovation, and demolition activities and may
include surplus and damaged products and materials arising
in the process of construction activity or used temporarily
during the process of construction site activities. It is a
material or product which needs to be transported away from
the construction site, or used on the site itself other than the
intended specific purpose of the project due to damage, excess
or non-use, or which cannot be used due to non-compliance
with specifications, or which is a byproduct of the
construction process. Globally, the amount of construction
waste produced has reached an alarming level that the need to
address these construction wastes in the most sustainable way
must be urgently recognized. It is estimated that around 1030% of waste transported to many landfills around the world
can be classified as construction and demolition wastes
(Begum 2009).
In the Philippines, several construction activities has been
observed in recent years. According to government statistics,
the number of construction projects increased by 1.6% in the
third quarter of 2014 as compared to the same quarter in 2013.
This represents a total of 29,616 construction projects based
on approved building permits (National Statistics Office,
2014). While there is an increasing trend in the number of
construction projects in the Philippines, current practices in
waste management are resulting to major environmental
pollution, and little is being done to rectify poor practices or

carry out remedial works on existing environmental hazards

(Asian Development Bank, 2003).
Awareness of the impacts of construction waste has been
increasing in recent years. Many countries are putting much
effort into establishing environmentally sustainable building
production systems (Cha, H. S et. al 2009). Various efforts to
understand and prevent its effects has been exercised
internationally, including the development of methods that
would decrease the amount of waste produced during
construction and reduce the impacts of these construction
wastes to the environment. However, the same effort has not
been exerted in the Philippine construction industry.
Conducting a documentation of the different construction
waste management practices implemented in the Philippines
may be considered timely and fitting, as numerous
infrastructures are being developed in the country and as
investments in Philippine properties have begun to surge. In
addition, the findings of this study may be used as reference
in the development of a national legislation that aims to
regulate and reduce the construction wastes produced in local
construction projects.
The objective of this study is to investigate the construction
waste management strategies implemented in the Philippine
construction industry and to identify waste management
influence factors that when introduced to construction
industry will improve waste management performance onsite.

Table 1. Construction Activity and Wastes Produced

Process
Excavation
Installation
of
Formworks
(Beams, Girders, and Columns)
Installation of Walls
Installation of Reinforcing Bars
Concrete Pouring on Slab
Scaffolding
Installation of Roofing
Installation of Finishing
Installation of Plumbing
Installation of Electrical
Miscellaneous

Possible Construction Waste Produced

Excess Soil
Boards, Timber, Bracings, Stakes
Mortar, Cutoff Rebars, Chipped off Concrete Hollow Blocks
Cutoff rebars, tie wires
Concrete, Cement, Aggregates, Formworks (wood)
Bamboo, Timber, Boards
Cut off Roof, Insulation, Fiber board
Tiles, Bricks, Glass
Cut off Steel or PVC Pipes, Sealants
Cut off Electrical Wires, Pipes, Conduits
Paint or Sealant Containers, Cement Sacks, Broken Light Bulbs
or Fluorescent Tubes

2.2
Waste management influence factor or WMIF is defined as a
management factor that has an impact on either reducing
construction wastes or facilitating the use of recycled
materials for evaluating individual projects. According to
Tam et al. (2006), environment factors should match one of
the following characteristics: (1) reflecting the trends or the
causeeffect relationships; (2) providing information to make
people understand the environment issues and measure the
progress toward an established goal; (3) determining the
performance level of individual companies; and (4)
highlighting the problematic areas for further improvement.
(Cha et al 2009).

Selected respondents were asked to rate factors that when

introduced to waste management planning and construction
industry, will improve the construction waste management
performance (Cha et. al 2009). Factors were categorized in to
five categories, namely Manpower, Materials and Equipment,
Construction Method, Management Practice, and Industry
Policy as listed on Table 2. Each factor may be rated on a scale
of 1 to 10, with the latter being the highest rating.
Respondents were asked to rate each factor based on their
experience, and its potential for applicability and
effectiveness in the Philippine construction industry.

METHODOLOGY
2.2.1

In order to achieve the objectives of this study, a structured

survey was conducted among Philippine construction
industry stakeholders. The survey consisted of two parts
namely a perception survey on the benefits of construction
waste management (Orozco, 2014) and identification of key
WMIF in construction sites. The survey is composed of a
written survey and a random verification interview.

2.1

Identification of Construction Waste Management

Influence Factors

Construction Waste Handling Methods

Respondents were asked on their construction waste handling

methods for identified wastes (as shown in Table 1) produced
during certain construction activity. Respondents were asked
to briefly explain how their company reuses, recycles, or
disposes the identified construction waste. Respondents were
asked to give suggestions on how they could improve their
current waste handling methods. In addition, if data on
construction waste volumes were available, respondents had
the ability to indicate amounts of construction wastes they
produce.

Manpower

Manpower category involves techniques directly related to a

construction projects staff and laborers. It involves the
promotion of construction waste management education. It is
concerned with task delegation on construction waste
management and the prevention of unnecessary wastages
caused by human error. It also reinforces the importance of
the commitment to implement construction waste
management by the project manager or any contractor
representative.
2.2.2

Materials and Equipment

Materials and Equipment category focuses on improving the

way materials are handled in construction activity. It also
promotes the use of technologies, such as prefabricated
construction components, proven to effectively decrease the
amount of waste produced on-site. These techniques promote
the use of standard materials, as well as the reuse or recycle
of construction materials. It recognizes the need to prevent
rework, as this eliminates materials that already been ordered
or installed, and the purchase of new materials.

Table 2. Construction waste management techniques (adapted from Cha et al., 2009)
CATEGORY
Manpower

Materials
and
Equipment

Construction
Method

Management
Practice

Industry
Policy

ACTIONS
Commitment of contractors representative at the site
Hiring laborers for waste disposal work only
Ensuring that subcontractors are also managing wastes
Education of engineers for waste management
Education of laborers for waste management
Preventing material waste by laborers
Minimizing rework during construction phase
Design and construction using standard materials
Use of prefabricated materials
Use of recycled materials
Proper handling of fragile materials
Minimizing loss of materials during carrying and storage
Preventing excessive order of materials
Recycling/Reuse of materials generally used once
Setting up trash/waste bins according to waste type
Sorting mixed waste according to type
Designate a waste sorting area within the construction site
Setting up temporary waste bins in key construction zones
Storing wastes at an accessible area for collection
Providing Subcontractors their own waste bins
Preventing mixing of wastes with soil
Installing information board for waste separation/segregation
Implementing waste segregation rules
Requiring subcontractors to implement waste management
Positive incentive for decreasing or recycling wastes by subcontractors
Keeping track of the kind, amount, and disposal of waste produced
Establishing a waste management plan early in the construction
Using a checklist on executing a detailed waste management plan
Establishing a target rate for recycling wastes
Informing recycling methods and uses in construction site
Obligatory cost estimation for quantity of waste treatment in a bill
Incentive in bidding for a contractor having a waste management plan
Development of punishment for illegal waste disposal/treatment
Appointing a waste management officer
Establishing a criteria/standard for quality and safety of recycled materials

2.2.4
2.2.3

Management Practice

Construction Method

Construction Method category is about implementing

changes in the way construction activity operates. It promotes
improvements on waste management, as well as suggests
practices that would strengthen the objective of proper
construction waste handling. The designation of waste sorting
areas, provision of waste bins on-site, and storage of wastes
at an accessible area for collection are amongst its techniques.
The prevention of mixing of soil with wastes during
construction activity is also suggested as failure to do so may
incur damages to the sites land, as well as produce a
hazardous working environment.

Management Practice category promotes some changes in the

way the contractor manages the operations of construction
activity, and implementation of a construction waste
management plan. These methods aim to strengthen the way
waste management is enforced on-site. It includes suggestions
on how subcontractors can be required to manage their waste
production and disposal, as well as the potential of providing
incentive to participating subcontractors. It enforces the need
to implement a waste management plan for construction
wastes, as well as developing measures in order to execute
this plan throughout the project duration.

Mechanical
Engineer
2%

Industrial
Engineer
2%
Safety Officer
9%
Environmental
Planner
3%

Civil Engineer
68%

Architect
9%
Electrical
Engineer
7%
Figure 1. Distribution of survey respondents
2.2.5

Industry Policy

Industry Policy category involves techniques that would be

implemented on an industry level or a national level. The
implementation of these techniques would strengthen the
implementation of construction waste management in
construction projects, as well as promote its development.
These techniques will allow for better involvement from key
stakeholders, and will cause the development of legislation
and regulations regarding construction waste management. It
also promotes the appointing of a waste management officer
and the establishment of a standard on the safety and quality
of recycled or reused materials.
2.3

Selection of Survey Respondents

The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, or PCAB, is

the countrys agency for contractor registration. Contractors
desiring to bid for government and private projects are
required by law to register and be classified through this
government body. Based on a list of contractors released by
PCAB, there are approximately 5,300 registered contractors
in the Philippines, involved in General Engineering, General
Building, and Trade or Specialty works.
There are 222 registered Class AAA contractors scattered in
the Philippines. This study limited its respondents to Class
AAA contractors, involved with General Engineering works.
One hundred twenty (120) out of the 222 Class AAA
contractors are registered within Metro Manila.
Participating companies held the interviews either in their
company office or in one of their projects. Survey interviews
took approximately twenty to forty minutes, depending on
how elaborate respondents explained their answers. Some
companies offered a tour around their projects to showcase
their methods. Taking advantage of the tours, photographs
were taken to document methods on site. Companies that
did not allow taking of photographs, or touring around the

project site offered to send their own documentations as proof

or additional visuals for their methods. Some respondents
who could not entertain holding personal survey interviews
opted to conduct it through alternative means. Some
requested that the survey form be sent to them and sent forms
once accomplished. Others scheduled for phone interviews at
their convenient day and time, which usually lasted for fifteen
to thirty minutes.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 30 Class AAA General Engineering contractors

have participated in the survey. Of these thirty contractors,
there were 43 individual respondents. This is due to the fact
that some company insisted on providing two or more
respondents, while others provided just one key personnel.
These respondents were greatly involved and is familiar with
their companys construction waste management system. The
distribution of the profession of respondents is presented in
Figure 1.
Majority of the respondents were civil engineers (68%),
followed by architects (9%), safety officers (9%) and
electrical engineers (7%). In terms of position, majority of the
respondents held managerial positions in their respective
companies, such as project managers, division heads, and
administration-related positions. Some companies have
appointed safety officers, who aside from ensuring the safety
operation of their construction activity, is also responsible
with the task of implementing the companys construction
waste management plan. With the exception of some
companies, not all have an appointed environmental planner,
waste management officer, or any equivalent position, solely
responsible with the environmental aspect of construction
activity and operations.

3.1

Construction Waste Management Strategies

This part of the survey is intended to document various

methods implemented by companies for managing wastes
produced in the identified activities. It was determined that
contractors are employing an array of methods that is
applicable for their project, or the technical ability of their
team.

The act of managing wastes is viewed as a general

housekeeping necessity to ensure the smooth operation of
their activities. It is not done in conscious effort to reduce
environmental impacts of their construction activity,
reflecting lack of awareness of the importance of construction
waste management planning.

Table 3. Ranked Waste Management Influence Factors

RANK

CATEGORY

CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTION

MEAN

1
2

Materials & Equipment

Manpower

9.07
8.93

8.85

1.24

Establishing a waste management plan early in the construction

8.85

1.41

Management
Practice
Management
Practice
Materials & Equipment

Design and construction using standard materials

Commitment of contractor's representative at the construction
site
Requiring subcontractors to implement waste management

STD.
DEV.
1.10
1.21

Proper handling of fragile materials

8.79

1.28

6
7

Materials & Equipment

Industry Policy

Minimizing loss of materials during carrying and storage

Establishing criteria/standard for quality and safety of recycled
materials

8.74
8.74

1.31
1.37

8
9

Construction Method
Construction Method

Storing wastes at an accessible area for collection

Setting up trash/waste bins according to waste type

8.73
8.68

1.48
1.27

10

Implementing wastes segregation rules

8.66

1.67

11
12
13
14

Management
Practice
Materials & Equipment
Materials & Equipment
Materials & Equipment
Construction Method

Use of prefabricated materials

Minimizing rework during construction phase
Preventing excessive order/purchase of materials
Installing information board for waste separation/segregation

8.64
8.57
8.53
8.41

1.16
1.38
1.55
1.84

15
16

Construction Method
Industry Policy

Sorting mixed waste according to waste

Development of punishment for illegal waste disposal/treatment

8.37
8.32

1.79
1.71

17-18
17-18
19

Education of engineers for waste management

Ensuring that subcontractors are also managing wastes
Using a checklist on executing a detailed waste management
plan
Designate a waste sorting area within construction site
Setting up temporary waste bins in key construction zones

8.28
8.28
8.22

1.93
1.68
1.71

20
21-22

Manpower
Manpower
Management
Practice
Construction Method
Construction Method

8.19
8.14

1.93
1.77

21-22
23

Manpower
Construction Method

Preventing material waste by laborers

Preventing mixing of wastes with soil

8.14
8.10

1.44
1.84

24

Management
Practice

Informing recycling methods and uses in construction site

8.07

1.83

3.2

Waste Management Influence Factors

After collecting the ratings from the respondents, preliminary

statistical analyses were performed by determining the mean
and standard deviation of their ratings. Statistical analysis was
also performed to detect and remove outlying observations.
The result of the top ranks were tabulated in Table 3.
The top ranked technique is Design and construction using
standard materials, belonging in the Materials and
Equipment category. For the respondents, this means the use
of quality materials. Investing in the use of such materials
would minimize the need for rework, improving the work
pace of the company.
The top ranking method category is Construction Method,
followed by Materials and Equipment. The former may be
considered as the foundation for a good construction waste
management in the construction site. These methods enforce
waste management planning, as these methods are avenues
for waste reduction and proper handling to materialize. On the
other hand, Materials and Equipment techniques received
good feedback from the respondents, as these are tried and
tested methods and technologies that they believe will
improve not only their operation, but their objective of
managing their construction waste.

REFERENCES
Asian Development Bank (2003) Study of Markets for
Recycled Solid Waste. Metro Manila Solid Waste
Management Project.
Begum, R.A., Siwar, C., Pereria., J.J., and Jafaar, H.A. (2009).
Attitude and behavioral factors in waste management in
the construction industry of Malaysia. Resources,
Conservation and Recycling 53:321-328.
Cha, H. S., Kim, J., Han, J. Y. (2009) Identifying and
assessing influence factors on improving waste
management performance for building construction
projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, Volume 135, Issue 7, 647-156.
Orozco, C.R. and Maningas S.D.. (2014) Industry
Perception on the Benefits of Construction Waste
Management Strategies in the Philippines. Philippine
Engineering Journal Volume 35, Number 2 pp 19-28.
Print

CONCLUSION

In this study, an extensive documentation of waste

management strategies was conducted among Philippines
construction industry stakeholders. It was documented that
Philippine contractors have an array of methods implemented
in order for them to manage the various wastes produced
during construction activity. These methods are done for the
purpose of implementing good housekeeping regulations on
site, and to provide a conducive environment for work
productivity.
Key waste management influence factors have been identified
through structured interviews with local construction industry
stakeholders. Most of the respondents believe that
management methods that can influence performance of
waste management on-site falls in the category of
construction method and materials and equipment.
Further studies on waste management implemented in the
Philippines is recommended. In particular, studies on the
analysis of waste management influence factors and
quantification of actual waste produced on site are
recommended.