Enhancing construction waste management in New Zealand: Lessons from Hong Kong and other countries

Abstract

Global construction waste (CW) poses escalating environmental, social, and economic challenges. While New Zealand grapples with a dearth of research on optimal construction waste management (CWM) techniques, it stands to gain from the comprehensive practices employed in regions like Hong Kong. Drawing from the extensive literature on CWM practices in Hong Kong and other countries, this study seeks to furnish New Zealand’s construction professionals and policymakers with invaluable insights. Key findings illuminate the determinants of successful CWM, the motivations steering stakeholder behaviour towards CW reduction, the transformative potential of public policy, and innovative enhancement strategies. The research underscores the instrumental roles of green building and big data in CW curtailment, delving into the attendant challenges and rewards. By assimilating lessons from these international paradigms, New Zealand is poised to refine its CWM, catalysing a shift towards a more sustainable construction landscape.