Ingenieur April-June 2016 Ingenieur Apr-June 2016 | Page 69

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