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Developing strategies for managing construction and demolition wastes in Malaysia based on the concept of circular economy

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Abstract

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a pressing issue not only in Malaysia, but it is also a worldwide concern including the developed countries as well. C&D waste should be managed throughout the construction cycle. The concept of circular economy (CE) is an emerging notion that has the potential to be utilized as waste minimization approach. This paper aims to assess the potentials of incorporating the CE concept as an approach to minimizing C&D wastes, by developing a CE-based theoretical framework for C&D waste management in Malaysia. In line with this objective, a systematic review has been conducted to determine how CE can be operationalised as a strategy to minimize wastes, while considering it as a key factor for mitigating the environmental impacts. Based on the literature review, a CE-based theoretical framework has been proposed using Malaysia as a case study. The framework has been developed following a three-layer approach namely micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. Waste minimization strategies have been identified for each level taking into account the main stages in the construction industry, i.e., planning, designing, procurement, construction, and demolition. The different stakeholders involved at each stage and their interactions in the stages have also been identified.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Malaysian Ministry of Education and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) for providing financial support in pursuing this research project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Mohd Reza Esa & Anthony Halog

  2. Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohd Reza Esa

  3. Environmental Section, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Lucia Rigamonti

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  1. Mohd Reza Esa
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Correspondence to Mohd Reza Esa.

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Esa, M.R., Halog, A. & Rigamonti, L. Developing strategies for managing construction and demolition wastes in Malaysia based on the concept of circular economy. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 19, 1144–1154 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-016-0516-x

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