Worker and supervisor training on site should
be systematically scheduled to ensure that
they are aware of, and are implementing waste
management. Incentives or awards should be
given to employees or sub-contractors who best
achieve specified waste minimisation objectives.
By contrast, if employees or sub-contractors fail to
comply with the waste minimisation policies, they
should be penalised.
Phase 4: Occupancy
Management of solid waste generated
during occupancy should emphasise more
on environmental solutions to achieve and
maintain long-term sustainability goals that cover
occupancy. The project team should design the
building with efficient waste management systems
based on building type, geography, occupancy and
other special circumstances of each individual
building and its occupants. Currently, several
green rating tools, such as Green Building Index
(GBI), GreenRE, Malaysia Carbon Reduction and
Environmental Sustainability Tool (MyCREST), can
be used as reference in managing waste during
occupancy.
Phase 5: Operation and maintenance
Long-term optimisation in operation and
maintenance of the completed building is an
important part of the waste management plan.
However, the waste management plan developed
at the design stage should be congruent with the
construction waste management plan execution
and should be adopted and implemented by the
occupants, operators and facility maintenance
team.
Phase 6: Renovation and demolition
Potential waste that will be generated during
renovation and demolition should be considered
at the early stage. Such consideration should
include proper management based on the aims
to maximise the potential usage and profit.
Identifying opportunities and actions that will
divert waste materials from disposal is important.
Therefore, a waste diversion plan should be
discussed among professionals at the planning
stage, which should cover all the possibilities of
waste.
Initiatives in Managing Construction
Waste in Malaysia
Construction waste management has become
an important element towards sustainability. The
initiatives require top-level commitment and a
high level of engagement between Governments
and stakeholders. At the top level, waste
management legislation and enforcement should
be emphasised. As waste management becomes
compulsory, the construction industry must be
prepared to take on the challenge and align itself
with the vision. This section presents an overview
of the current initiatives being prepared to manage
construction waste in Malaysia.
i. Construction waste management as a
national agenda
The 11th MP highlights the seven types of
construction waste that should be managed in a
holistic manner based on the life cycle approach.
This approach extends beyond merely disposing
the waste; rather it aims to increase recycling and
recovery rate of waste and improve management
of landfills to reduce the amount of waste and
pollution (Economic Planning Unit Malaysia, 2015).
Increasing co-ordination on waste management,
encouraging the implementation of 3Rs, and
increasing investment in waste as recourse are
the main aims in managing waste holistically.
Aligned with the 11th MP, the Construction
Industry Transformation Programme 2016–2020
(CITP) developed by the Construction Industry
Development Board (CIDB) also includes the
construction and demolition wastes as elements
under the environmental sustainability thrust (CIDB
Malaysia, 2015). Environmental sustainability calls
for compliance with environmentally sustainable
practices to showcase Malaysia as a low carbon
and sustainable building and infrastructure
hub. Irresponsible dumping of construction and
67