Analysis of factors influencing the creation and stimulation of the Australian market for recycled construction and demolition waste products

Abstract

Growing population and urbanisation have led to a significant increase in construction and demolition (C&D) waste generation. There are urgent calls for government and industry to develop better methods for C&D waste management. The creation and stimulation of a market for recycled construction and demolition waste have emerged as a targeted intervention to divert waste from landfill sites and create a second life for waste material. This study evaluates key factors affecting the creation and stimulation of the market for C&D recycled waste products in Australia. Through an extensive review of the literature and several semi-structured interviews involving 27 stakeholders from across the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, this study establishes four groups of enablers (i.e., encouragement factors, education, enforcement and engagement) and barriers (i.e., operations, market, governance and logistics) to creating and stimulating a market for C&D waste. Furthermore, the institutional theory was applied to findings to demonstrate how normative, coercive and mimetic drivers influence AEC's stakeholders' decisions and justify their C&D waste management practices. The study proposes a Framework for Waste Market Development (FfWMD) to provide practical solutions to overcome the current barriers identified in this study. The study findings guide government decision-makers and AEC industry practitioners to facilitate end markets for C&D waste and contribute to achieving a circular economy (CE). Further empirical studies on the elements of the FfWMD can be developed to test the complex interactions between stakeholders and processes.