Construction Timber Waste Management as a Circular Economy Resource:

A Case of Affordable Housing in Kenya

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.