Short answer

Prioritize design and construction strategies that facilitate material recovery and reuse at the end of a building's life, and advocate for demolition practices that maximize waste diversion.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Murdoch Research Repository (Murdoch University) (2019)
Method: Mixed-methods research, including industry surveys, on-site waste quantification, environmental impact assessment (carbon footprint analysis), and economic assessment (cost-benefit analysis).
Evidence: Strong effect

Implementing advanced demolition techniques significantly boosts the diversion of construction and demolition waste from landfills, contributing to a more circular economy. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Murdoch Research Repository (Murdoch University). Using Mixed-methods research, including industry surveys, on-site waste quantification, environmental impact assessment (carbon footprint analysis), and economic assessment (cost-benefit analysis)., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize design and construction strategies that facilitate material recovery and reuse at the end of a building's life, and advocate for demolition practices that maximize waste diversion.

Study

SustainabilityHigh ImpactStrong effect

Best practice demolition can increase C&D waste diversion rates by over 40%

Implementing advanced demolition techniques significantly boosts the diversion of construction and demolition waste from landfills, contributing to a more circular economy.

Murdoch Research Repository (Murdoch University) · 2019

Key Findings

01Western Australia's C&D waste diversion rate is 57%, significantly lower than leading countries.
02Best practice demolition, incorporating onsite crushing and direct reuse/recycling, offers substantial improvements in waste diversion.
03Implementing best practices can lead to environmental savings through reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
04Economic viability of best practice demolition needs careful consideration, balancing upfront costs with long-term benefits.

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize design and construction strategies that facilitate material recovery and reuse at the end of a building's life, and advocate for demolition practices that maximize waste diversion.

How to apply

When planning new construction projects, conduct a thorough review of potential demolition and deconstruction strategies for the existing site, considering material salvage and recycling opportunities from the outset.

Project actions

01When researching materials, consider their end-of-life potential and how easily they can be recovered.
02Investigate local recycling and reuse facilities for construction materials.
03Analyze the environmental impact of material choices, including their disposal.

Method & Evidence

AimTo identify barriers and opportunities for increasing the reuse, recycling, and recovery of C&D materials through best practice demolition, thereby facilitating the transition to a circular economy in Western Australia.

MethodMixed-methods research, including industry surveys, on-site waste quantification, environmental impact assessment (carbon footprint analysis), and economic assessment (cost-benefit analysis).

ProcedureThe study involved surveying industry professionals, meticulously measuring all waste generated and diverted from a case study demolition site (Hamilton Senior High School), calculating the carbon footprint of the demolition and potential construction, and performing a cost-benefit analysis comparing best practice to standard and worst-case scenarios.

ContextConstruction and Demolition (C&D) waste management in Western Australia.

Variables

IV["Implementation of best practice demolition techniques (e.g., onsite crushing, direct reuse/recycling)","Type of demolition approach (best practice vs. business as usual vs. worst case)"]

DV["C&D waste diversion rate (%)","Greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint)","Economic cost-benefit analysis"]

CV["Type and size of building being demolished","Geographic location (Western Australia)","Regulatory environment for waste management"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive methodology combining qualitative (surveys) and quantitative (waste quantification, carbon footprint, cost-benefit) data.
+Focus on a real-world case study provides practical insights.
+Addresses multiple facets of the problem: environmental, economic, and operational.

Limitations

The cost-effectiveness of best practice demolition can vary greatly depending on local markets for recycled materials and the availability of specialized demolition services.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is enhanced by its mixed-methods approach and detailed case study analysis. Reliability could be improved by replicating the waste quantification and economic analysis across multiple diverse demolition sites.

Think critically

To what extent can the economic viability of best practice demolition be improved through policy interventions and market development for recycled construction materials?

Design Principles

"Design for Disassembly and Material Circularity: Integrate principles that enable easy deconstruction and maximize the potential for material reuse and recycling throughout the product lifecycle."

The construction and demolition (C&D) sector is a major contributor to landfill waste, and its associated material extraction and production processes have substantial environmental impacts. Adopting best practices in demolition offers a tangible pathway to reduce this burden, conserve resources, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows that when we demolish buildings, we can do a much better job of saving materials to be reused or recycled instead of just throwing them away. Doing this helps the environment and can even save money in the long run.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the selection of materials that are easily recyclable or reusable.
2.Incorporate a section on end-of-life considerations for your design, referencing this study to support your approach to waste reduction.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights the critical need for improved construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, with Western Australia's current diversion rate of 57% falling short of international benchmarks. By adopting best practice demolition techniques, such as those employed in the Hamilton Senior High School case study, significant increases in waste diversion can be achieved. These practices not only contribute to a circular economy by maximizing material reuse and recycling but also offer environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with new material production. Therefore, integrating principles of design for disassembly and end-of-life material recovery is essential for sustainable design practice.

Source

Murdoch Research Repository (Murdoch University)

Construction and demolition waste in Western Australia: A case study on best practice demolition

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about best practice demolition can increase c&d waste diversion rates by over 40%?: Prioritize design and construction strategies that facilitate material recovery and reuse at the end of a building's life, and advocate for demolition practices that maximize waste diversion. Evidence: Murdoch Research Repository (Murdoch University) (2019).
Why does "Best practice demolition can increase C&D waste diversion rates by over 40%" matter for design?: The construction and demolition (C&D) sector is a major contributor to landfill waste, and its associated material extraction and production processes have substantial environmental impacts. Adopting best practices in demolition offers a tangible pathway to reduce this burden, conserve resources, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize design and construction strategies that facilitate material recovery and reuse at the end of a building's life, and advocate for demolition practices that maximize waste diversion.
What were the main findings?: Western Australia's C&D waste diversion rate is 57%, significantly lower than leading countries.. Best practice demolition, incorporating onsite crushing and direct reuse/recycling, offers substantial improvements in waste diversion.. Implementing best practices can lead to environmental savings through reduced greenhouse gas emissions.. Economic viability of best practice demolition needs careful consideration, balancing upfront costs with long-term benefits.
What research method was used?: Mixed-methods research, including industry surveys, on-site waste quantification, environmental impact assessment (carbon footprint analysis), and economic assessment (cost-benefit analysis)..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Murdoch Research Repository (Murdoch University).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When planning new construction projects, conduct a thorough review of potential demolition and deconstruction strategies for the existing site, considering material salvage and recycling opportunities from the outset.
What are the limitations?: The study is a case study specific to Western Australia and may not be directly generalizable to all regions or project types. Economic viability can be influenced by local market conditions and regulatory frameworks.