Title: A statistical approach to predict waste generation rates to support recycling programmes

Authors: J.P.A. Hettiaratchi, B.F. Prado Verduga, B.K. Rajbhandari, J.Y. Ruwanpura, B.A.D.S. Wimalasena

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering and Center for Environmental Engineering Research and Education (CEERE), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada. ' Newalta Corporation, 211-11 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ' Drainage Services, City of Edmonton, 14323-115 Avenue, NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Abstract: Construction wastes constitute material with high potential for on-site reuse and off-site recycling; however, a significant fraction of this waste is still directed to landfills. Inability to predict time-dependent and activity-specific waste generation rates is one of the barriers to successful implementation of a construction waste minimisation programme. This paper discusses the development of an activity-specific waste generation data set and a statistical model to predict waste generation at construction sites. This paper also discusses the potential applications of an improved model based on the concept of activity-specific waste generation to facilitate implementation of a construction waste minimisation programme at site.

Keywords: waste generation prediction; construction waste; probability distribution functions; recycling; solid waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2010.033985

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2010 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.82 - 95

Published online: 06 Jul 2010 *

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