Analysis of factors influencing the creation and stimulation of the Australian market for recycled construction and demolition waste products

Growing population and urbanisation have led to a significant increase in construction and demolition (C&D) waste generation. There are urgent calls for government and industry to develop better methods for C&D waste management. The creation and stimulation of a market for recycled construction and demolition waste have emerged as a targeted intervention to divert waste from landfill sites and create a second life for waste ma-terial. This study evaluates key factors affecting the creation and stimulation of the market for C&D recycled waste products in Australia. Through an extensive review of the literature and several semi-structured interviews in-volving 27 stakeholders from across the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, this study es-tablishes four groups of enablers (i.e., encouragement factors, education, enforcement and engagement) and barriers (i.e., operations, market, governance and logistics) to creating and stimulating a market for C&D waste. Furthermore, the institutional theory was applied to findings to demonstrate how normative, coercive and mi-metic drivers influence AEC's stakeholders' decisions and justify their C&D waste management practices. The study proposes a Framework for Waste Market Development (FfWMD) to provide practical solutions to over-come the current barriers identified in this study. The study findings guide government decision-makers and AEC industry practitioners to facilitate end markets for C&D waste and contribute to achieving a circular economy (CE). Further empirical studies on the elements of the FfWMD can be developed to test the complex interactions between stakeholders and processes. (c) 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Growing population and urbanization have led to an increase in construction and demolition waste generation, calling for better waste management methods. Creating and stimulating a market for recycled C&D waste is an intervention aimed at diverting waste from landfills and giving waste materials a second life. This study identifies key factors and barriers affecting the market for C&D recycled waste products in Australia and applies institutional theory to explain stakeholder decisions. The study proposes a Framework for Waste Market Development to overcome current barriers and guide government decision-makers and AEC industry practitioners in promoting end markets for C&D waste, contributing to a circular economy.