THESIS ABSTRACT

Abstract

Construction industry plays a significant role in the development and economic growth of a country. The rapid urbanization and population growth in the Kathmandu Valley have increased the construction of buildings, which results in waste generation. However, the effective management of waste generation during construction is often overlooked. This negligence leads to various challenges such as mixing construction waste with municipal waste creates problems in further treatment and sometimes construction wastes find their way into surface drains, thus choking them. The objectives of this study are to identify the causes of waste generation and type of waste, recognize major challenges in implementing waste management Plan (WMP), and recommend potential remedial measures. Out of 119, 108 completely filled responses have been collected i.e., 90.8% and Relative Importance Index, SEM modeling has been carrying out for data analysis and Key Informant Interview for thematic analysis. The study reveals that three main causes of waste generation are workmanship, Site management and supervision, and handling. The study also identifies challenges at different stage such as the higher cost for waste collected and transportation, Inadequate cost for storage area, equipment, and transportation for waste segregation, Lack on cost or economic incentives for waste reusing or recycling, and lack of proper waste disposal thus increasing cost for disposal fees for waste disposal. The remedial measures are concluded with recommendations derived from the content analysis of KII. The findings emphasize on amendment of Solid Waste Management Act to address the issue of construction waste, the need of training to the workers, effective implementation of waste management plan, investing in cost effective technologies and frequent inspection to monitor progress.

Keywords

Construction waste Management, Waste Management Plan, Waste segregation, Waste reuse and recycling, Structural Equation Model.