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Construction Timber Waste Management as a Circular Economy Resource:

Open access
Nyang’au, Stephen Nyakondo, Mbuge, Duncan O., Amedi, Daniel Mutuli, Mati, Ben, Vodohi, Collince·2024·AFRICA HABITAT REVIEW
DOI 10.66563/77bgnb41
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Abstract

Construction projects are key economic stimulus with creation of jobs and attraction of investors. These projects suffer inefficiencies and under-utilization of resources. Timber is one of the key inputs for construction projects that if not properly managed results in project failure. This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and targeted a sample of 73 project managers in six affordable housing projects located in Nairobi and its environs. Stratified sampling technique was applied by grouping the respondents as per project. A drop-and-pick later technique was used to collect data; thereafter appropriated statistical techniques such as regression and correlation were conducted to validate the hypothesis. The study established that technical, organizational, social, legal & environmental factors had positive influence on construction timber waste management in affordable housing projects in Nairobi. The study further inferred that proper community engagement especially employing the gender card in construction timber waste management contributed towards success and sustainable construction projects. The study recommended adoption of modular construction methods for mass production of affordable housing units, use of design visualization tools e.g. BIM, industry regulators such as NEMA and NCA to conduct capacity building programs on need and methodologies for sustainable construction, promote gender equity on construction sites, enhance management controls for timber products procurement and finally legislation & enforcement of policies on accessibility and proximity to government recycling facilities.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This cross-sectional survey of affordable housing projects in Nairobi finds that technical, organizational, socio-economic, and legal/environmental factors positively influence construction timber waste management. Organizational factors had the highest mean influence (3.9328), and timber reuse was the most implemented practice (M=3.89).

Key findings

  • Technical, organizational, socio-economic, and legal/environmental factors all had a positive significant influence on construction timber waste management in affordable housing projects, based on regression and correlation analysis.
  • Organizational factors had the highest mean influence (3.9328, SD 0.83), followed by socio-economic (3.7985, SD 1.19), technical (3.5896, SD 1.31), and legal/environmental factors (3.5597, SD 0.88); the overall average mean was 3.79.
  • Among implemented practices, reuse of timber across construction phases ranked highest (M=3.89, SD=0.93), followed by increased recycling (M=3.79, SD=0.87), design-stage elimination (M=3.78, SD=0.83), grading for resale (M=3.69, SD=0.82), and reduced creation of timber waste (M=3.5, SD=1.15).
  • Highest-rated subfactors included AHP control measures for proper timber waste management (M=4.81, SD=1.68), workers’ reluctance to recycle wood products (M=4.15, SD=0.81), and prefabrication and enforcement mechanisms (both M=4.13, SD=1.00).

Methods

  • Cross-sectional survey design in six affordable housing projects in Nairobi and environs, with data collected December 2023–January 2024.
  • Target population was 90 management staff; questionnaires were issued to 73 randomly selected respondents, and 67 complete questionnaires were returned (92% response rate).
  • Structured questionnaires used a 1–5 scale; analysis used descriptive statistics (mean, SD, frequencies) and inferential statistics including regression and correlation.

Limitations

  • Stated limitations: Not stated in the paper; there is no explicit limitations section.
  • Evident: the study relies on self-administered questionnaire perceptions, is cross-sectional, and the completed sample was 67 respondents with 92.54% male respondents, limiting generalizability and gender-based comparison.
  • Evident: the sample is described inconsistently (abstract says 73 project managers; methods say target of 90, 73 issued, 67 returned), and regression/correlation results are asserted without reported coefficients or p-values.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.66563/77bgnb41

Cites

19 of 19 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 3 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Exploratory factor analysis established four factors influencing construction timber waste management: technical, legal & environmental, organizational, and socioeconomic.

    “The four exploratory factors established; technical, legal & environmental, organizational and socioeconomic are detailed in Table 2.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: All respondents had an understanding of the construction process and thus had an equal chance of inclusion to participate in the study.
  • Findingown data

    Technical, organizational, social, legal and environmental factors had a positive influence on construction timber waste management in affordable housing projects in Nairobi.

    “The study established that technical, organizational, social, legal and environmental factors had positive influence on construction timber waste management in affordable housing projects in Nairobi.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: All respondents had an understanding of the construction process and thus had an equal chance of inclusion to participate in the study.
  • Findingown data

    Proper community engagement, especially employing the gender card in construction timber waste management, contributed towards success and sustainable construction projects.

    “The study further established that proper community engagement especially employing the gender card in construction timber waste management contributed towards success and sustainable construction projects.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: All respondents had an understanding of the construction process and thus had an equal chance of inclusion to participate in the study.
  • Findingown data

    Lack of awareness among clients and workers had a rating of M = 3.78, SD = 0.83.

    “a lack of awareness among clients and workers (M = 3.78, SD = 0.83)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Legal framework issues had a rating of M = 3.79, SD = 1.05.

    “legal framework issues (M = 3.79, SD = 1.05)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 3
  • May combine two claims. 11

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    The highest-ranked subfactor indicates strong agreement that AHP has control measures for proper timber waste management (M = 4.81, SD = 1.68).

    “The highest-ranked factor indicates strong agreement that AHP has control measures for proper timber waste management (M = 4.81, SD = 1.68).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A majority (30%) had 6 to 10 years of experience in the construction industry, while the minority (7%) had 0 to 5 years of experience.

    “A majority constituting 30%, had 6 to 10 years of experience in the construction industry, while the minority, 7%, had 0 to 5 years of experience (Figure 2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The highly influencing technical factors are choice of technology to construct AHP project, designer experience on methods and sequence of construction, adequacy of building information modelling in the project, project managers compliance to specification during procurement, and use of design replication (type designs) across AHP projects.

    “Under the technical factors, the following are the highly influencing factors: choice of technology to construct AHP project, Designer experience on methods and sequence of construction, Adequacy of building information modelling in the project, Project managers compliance to specification during procurement and Use of design replication (type designs) across AHP projects.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The highly influencing organizational factors are organizational policies on construction timber waste management, waste minimization & gender equity, adequacy of infrastructure for timber waste separation and grading, and contractors skewed project delivery objectives.

    “The following are highly influencing factors under organizational factors: the organizational policies on construction timber waste management, waste minimization & gender equity, adequacy of infrastructure for timber waste separation and grading, contractors skewed project delivery objectives.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The most influential legal and environmental factors include institutional capacity for government to enforce regulations and policies on timber waste management, adequacy and practicality of existing regulations on construction waste management, and lack of a specific regulation for construction timber waste management.

    “The most influential factors under legal and environmental include institutional capacity for government to enforce regulations and policies on timber waste management, adequacy and practicality of existing regulations on construction waste management and lack of a specific regulation for construction timber waste management.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The demographics showed that 92.54% of respondents were male and 7.46% were female, indicating that the male gender highly dominates the AHP projects.

    “The demographics showed that 92.54% of the respondents were male, and 7.46% were female indicating that the male gender highly dominates the AHP projects.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The most influencing socio-economic factors are attitude of demolition workers towards recycling, high recovery costs for waste, developer awareness level of eco-friendly construction, and financial incentives for good waste management practice.

    “The most influencing factors under the social economic were attitude of demolition workers towards recycling, high recovery costs for waste, developer awareness level of eco-friendly construction and financial incentives for good waste management practice.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    A majority of respondents were architects (30%), followed by project construction managers (22%), engineers (21%), quantity surveyors (15%), and project developers (12%).

    “distribution of respondents based on their roles revealed a majority were architects (30%) followed by project construction managers (22%) engineers (21%) while quantity surveyors (15%) and finally project developers (12%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Cultural factors, legal framework issues, and lack of awareness among clients and workers impede effective waste management.

    “Cultural factors (M = 3.79, SD = 0.87), legal framework issues (M = 3.79, SD = 1.05), and a lack of awareness among clients and workers (M = 3.78, SD = 0.83) further impede effective waste management.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The subfactor ratings accurately reflect the actual importance or barrier effect of those factors on timber waste management.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Prefabrication and enforcement mechanisms are important in managing timber waste.

    “Prefabrication and enforcement mechanisms were similarly rated (M = 4.13, SD = 1.00 for both), demonstrating their importance in managing timber waste.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The subfactor ratings accurately reflect the actual importance or barrier effect of those factors on timber waste management.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The response rate was 92% after receiving 67 complete questionnaires, meeting the 75% threshold.

    “The response rate was recorded at 92% after receiving 67 complete questionnaires, which met the threshold of 75% and above, which has been set by many researchers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Women in the construction industry are generally more aware and conscious about waste and abiding in waste management practices.

    “The researchers found that women who are in the construction industry are generally more aware and conscious about waste and abiding in waste management practices.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Menegaki and Damigos (2018)

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

12 of 12

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Timber is a key input for construction projects and if not properly managed results in project failure.

    “Timber is one of the key inputs for construction projects that if not properly managed results in project failure.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    All respondents had an understanding of the construction process and thus had an equal chance of inclusion to participate in the study.

    “Random selection was used because it was assumed that all the respondents had an understanding of the construction process and thus had an equal chance of inclusion to participate in the study.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The AHP project in Nairobi City County is representative of affordable housing construction projects in Kenya.

    “These factors are important to enhance construction timber waste management in affordable housing construction projects with a focus of adopting construction timber as a circular economy resource.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The regression analysis's significant associations reflect causal impacts of the factors on timber waste management practices.

    “The regression analysis revealed that technical factors had positive significant impact on construction timber waste management practices.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The subfactor ratings accurately reflect the actual importance or barrier effect of those factors on timber waste management.

    “The highest-ranked factor indicates strong agreement that AHP has control measures for proper timber waste management (M = 4.81, SD = 1.68).”
5 of 5

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Literature review identifies both 19 and 28 factors

    Minor

    The paper gives two different counts for the factors identified by its literature review: 19 and 28.

  • Reported average of four factor means is incorrect

    Minor

    The four means in Table 5 average to 3.72015, or 3.72 to two decimal places, not 3.79.

    Reported 3.79 · recomputed 3.72015

  • Reported standard deviation is impossible on the stated scale

    Minor

    On a 1-5 scale, observations with a mean of 4.81 cannot have a standard deviation of 1.68; even allowing for a sample standard deviation, the maximum is approximately 0.86 for the study's respondent count.

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 17

  1. Agyekum, K., Ayarkwa, J., & Adjei-Kumi, T. (2013). Minimizing materials wastage in construction-A lean construction approach. 2 nd International Conference on Infrastructure Development in Africa (ICIDA) Conference Proceedings (pp. 444-461). Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg.
  2. Ayemba, D. (2022, May 24). Waste management tips for Construction Industry. From Construction Retrieved from https://constructionreviewonline. com/management/5-waste-management-tips- REVIEW 19(3) 2024
  3. Nyakondo, Mbuge, Amedi, Mati & Vodohi / Africa Habitat Review 19(3) (2024) 3062-3074
  4. Giti, D. M., K'Akumu, A. O., & Oyaro, E. O. (n.d.). Enhanced role of private sector through public private partnerships in low-income urban housing in Kenya. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 25(2), 293-312.
  5. Hao, J. L., Chen, Z. K., Bao, Z. K., & Xing, W. Q. (2018). Quantifying construction waste reduction through the application of prefabrication in China. 6 th International Conference on Sustainable Solid Wwaste Management. Naxos.
  6. Israt, J., Guomin, Z., Muhammed Bhuiyan, & Satheeskumar, N. (2022). Circular economy of construction and demolition wood waste -a theoretical approach. Sustainability, 14(17), 1-26.
  7. Farhana, N. M. (2023, August 18). Academia; from timber as a structural material. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/ 23111939/ FEON. (2023, August 23). Wood waste: from federal office of environment. Retrieved from https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/en/home/topics/ waste/guide-to-waste-a-z/biodegradable-waste/ types-of-waste/wood-waste.html#:~:text=A%20 distinction%20is%20made%20between,as%20 leftover%20wood%20from%20sawmills.
  8. Gichamba, S., & Kithinji, C. (2019). Influence of environmental regulations in the performance of construction projects in nairobi county, KENYA. International Academic Journal of Information Sciences and Project Management, 3(4), 184-209. REVIEW 19(3) 2024
  9. Nyakondo, Mbuge, Amedi, Mati & Vodohi / Africa Habitat Review 19(3) (2024) 3062-3074
  10. Oladinrin, T. O., Ogunsemi, D. R., & Aje, I. O. (2022). Role of construction sector in economic growth: empirical evidence from Nigeria. Journal of the Environment, 7(1), 50-60.
  11. Lau, H. H., Whyte, A., & Law, P. L. (2008). Composition and characteristics of construction waste generated by residential housing project. International Journal of Environmental Research, 2(3), 261-268.
  12. Maier, D. (2022). Applying the circular economy principles in the wood construction industry. 8 th BASIQ International Conference on new Trends in Sustainable Business and Consumption (pp. 749- 756). Graz, Austria: Technical University of Cluj- Napoca.
  13. Nyakondo, Mbuge, Amedi, Mati & Vodohi / Africa Habitat Review 19(3) (2024) 3062-3074
  14. Saadi, N., Ismail, Z., & Alias, Z. (2016). A Review of construction waste management and initiatives in Malaysia. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 11(2), 101-114.
  15. Sheen, N. T., Dinesh, S., Sugumar, S., & Ramesh, C. (2017). A typical review on waste control in construction projects. International Journal for Research & Development in Technology, 7(4), 538- 541.
  16. Sridher, M., Oluborode, J. A., & Zaccheus, U. (2017). Waste Management policy and implementation in Nigeria. National Journal of Advanced Research, 3(3), 23-35.
  17. Tanui, S. J. (2019). Investigating the management of construction wastes in Nairobi County. Nairobi: Masters' Thesis, University of Nairobi.

Authors
Nyang’au, S. N., Mbuge, D. O., Amedi, D. M., Mati, B., & Vodohi, C.
Affiliations
  • National Construction Authority (NCA)
  • University of Nairobi (KE)
ORCID
Mbuge, Duncan O.
Venue
AFRICA HABITAT REVIEW
Publisher
The University of Nairobi
Published
2024-12-06
Volume
19
Issue
3
Pages
3062-3074
ISSN
  • 2519-7851 (ISSN-L)
  • 2524-1354
DOI
10.66563/77bgnb41
OpenAlex
W7170142820
Semantic Scholar
fffa71808ceb78ac0da168264604f5b111af0a37
Cited by
0
References
14
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-sa
Locations
  • AFRICA HABITAT REVIEW (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • AFRICA HABITAT REVIEW (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Recycled Aggregate Concrete Performance
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Sustainable Building Design and Assessment
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Keywords
waste management, circular economy, affordable housing, sustainable construction, community participation, gender equity, modular construction, building information modeling, wood procurement, recycling facilities, Nairobi

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