The Implications of Construction and Demolition Waste Management in Jordan

Abstract

Jordan's economy is one of the most robust and rapidly expanding in the Middle East. Construction and demolition (C&D) waste generation in the nation has dramatically increased due to the country's fast industrialization. Therefore, there is a raging concern over waste management infrastructure, particularly when most C&D waste in Jordan is disposed of informally. Hence, the research has reviewed previous literatures to identify the gaps in the body of knowledge about C&D waste management which helped in determining the method of quantitative questionnaires with practitioners and governmental bodies involved in C&D waste management in Jordan to be used. The literature analysis showed the construction sector and its components, legal frameworks, environmental, social, and economic ramifications, as well as the primary C&D waste management strategies and reveals that current strategies for managing C&D waste in Jordan are insufficiently developed. Thus, the purpose of the research in response to the findings of the literature was to ascertain what is lacking in the Jordanian context in terms of C&D waste management including informal dumping, aspects within Jordanian construction industry contracts, missing C&D waste management activities, encouragements to improve C&D waste management strategy, and the industry actors’ perspectives. The main findings demonstrate that the construction sector has a significant impact on Jordan’s environment by nearly informally dumping 50% of the total volume of C&D waste generated. The findings have identified that most problems relating to C&D waste are associated with governmental controls and industry actors (construction and demolition contractors). Including a general lack of legislative control and its enforcement accompanied with poor oversight and contractors’ perspective and willingness. In addition, appropriate procurement methods are not adopted, particularly for demolition projects. Results have shown that the absence of design codes of practice for recycled waste materials and poor waste disposal systems are strongly influential factors too. The findings identify the measures necessary to push the Jordanian construction industry toward improved C&D waste management by developing a set of encouragements. The key aspects of these encouragements include modifying the current regulations, the imposition of penalties or fines on polluters, enriching the local market with recycled waste material market, increasing the fees of disposal, and providing tax exemptions. The research not only develops enhancements to Jordan's C&D waste management strategy, but also provides a future benchmark for a successful national C&D waste management plan.