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Article Title:
Behavioural Influences on Construction Materials Waste Management in the Construction Industry: A Study of Construction Firms In Ghana
by Adams Abudi, Sheitu Abu and Mohammed Bukari

Abstract:
The construction industry produces considerable amounts of materials wastes generated on construction sites. The material waste produced has adverse effects on the environment and the cost of construction projects. The paper seeks to investigate influences of behavioral patterns of site managers on construction materials waste management within selected construction firms in Ghana. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design involving the administration of one hundred and twenty (120 questionnaires to site managers working with construction firms in selected districts within the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana. A response rate of 50% was achieved. The study revealed the key factors influencing site managers? attitudes towards construction material waste management which includes; personal experience, educational qualification, parental upbringing and community related influences. Also, the study revealed that site managers? attitudes towards construction material waste management is positive, but that their efforts to construction waste management was hindered by the lack of managerial commitment, absence of legal framework to regulate waste management practices by construction firms and the low levels of knowledge and skills in construction materials waste management. The study has made recommendations based on the findings of the study for effectively controlling material waste on construction sites in the study setting. Findings from this research therefore, would be useful as a guiding tool for the proper management and effective utilization of material waste by government, non?governmental organizations and the construction industry as a whole. In addition, it will provide a baseline measure of awareness for all construction industry practitioners in most Ghanaian construction sites, in their attempt to providing a more conscious, reliable and holistic effort towards waste minimization in Ghana.

Keywords: construction material waste, site managers, attitudes, Ghana, operatives

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