Enhancing performance of construction waste management: Factor analysis from the building contractors’ perspectives

Abstract

With the rapid growth of urbanization, construction projects have surged, increasing construction waste (CW). Effective construction waste management (CWM) is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of CW on the environment, society, and the economy. This study aimed to identify critical attributes and factors that enhance CWM in building construction. Attributes were initially identified through a literature review and verified by 32 experts. Subsequently, a questionnaire based on the retained attributes was developed, and a survey was conducted with 304 construction professionals from the building construction sector in Cambodia and Thailand. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were sequentially conducted and further revealed five factors with a total of 27 attributes, namely Governance and policies (8 attributes), Materials and equipment (8 attributes), Requirements and specifications (4 attributes), Construction information systems (4 attributes), and Waste collection facilities (3 attributes). This study identified and confirmed the critical attributes and factors in enhancing the contractors’ CWM performance in building construction that are specifically within the 2 R strategy (reduce and reuse) that contractors can fully control on their construction sites. The findings provide empirical evidence to guide contractors in improving CWM in building construction projects. By enhancing all attributes across the five key factors, contractors can minimize CW and reduce the negative impact of construction activities on the environment and society, thereby contributing to sustainable construction practices.