A decision-support framework for planning construction waste recycling: A case study of Shenzhen, China

Construction waste recycling is to turn construction waste materials into new resources for use. It is often considered in waste management plans, in which a central dilemma is to ponder the on-site and off-site options. Both recycling options have their respective strengths and weaknesses in dealing with internal and external factors related to site, time, cost, market, and government. However, no previous study has consciously considered the two options by putting them together with the factors in a structured model to support managers in devising their waste management plans. This study aims to develop a decision-support framework to help plan on-site and off-site construction waste recycling. It does so by adopting the qualitative research methods of case study, site visits and semi-structured interviews in Shenzhen, China. Two generic factors, namely (a) project characteristics (e.g., site constraints, time allowed, and project scale), and (b) industrial and governmental supports (e.g., transportation, recycling technology, the material market, regulations, and government subsidies), are found to determine the technical and economic viability of a particular recycling option. The two factors interact with each other and evolve over time and context to effect. This paper further articulated and organized their dynamics in a construction waste recycling decision-support framework. The research can help maximize the practicality of waste management plans. It is also of value to enhance construction waste management in the long run.