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Analysis of the survey results show that waste management was the most actively engaged sustainability practice with a mean value of 1.76. Construction activities produce a large amount of waste and sustainable management of such construction waste increases the construction organization’s reputation, as well as reducing the cost of the waste to landfills. Sustainable construction design was rated by respondents as the second most actively engaged sustainability practice with a mean value of 2.03. The efficient use of resources and materials was scored as the third most actively engaged sustainability practice according to the survey results, having a mean value of 2.04. Selecting materials for a construction project is key, and careful consideration needs to be given to the environmental impact of materials considered for use in the project. Contrary to literature review findings, which indicated that sustainable procurement was a popular practice in UK construction industry, the survey respondents only rated sustainable procurement the fourth most engaged sustainability practice with a mean value of 2.26. Carbon reduction commitment was rated fifth with a mean value of 2.39. This is, however, a surprise as he above scheme has been made compulsory by the UK government. The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is a mandatory UK energy saving and carbon emissions reduction and rading scheme which covers both public and private sector organisations. The interpretation of he above table is represented graphically in Figure 3. Table 2b: Respondents Percentage of Engaged Sustainability Practices

Figure 3 Analysis of the survey results show that waste management was the most actively engaged sustainability practice with a mean value of 1.76. Construction activities produce a large amount of waste and sustainable management of such construction waste increases the construction organization’s reputation, as well as reducing the cost of the waste to landfills. Sustainable construction design was rated by respondents as the second most actively engaged sustainability practice with a mean value of 2.03. The efficient use of resources and materials was scored as the third most actively engaged sustainability practice according to the survey results, having a mean value of 2.04. Selecting materials for a construction project is key, and careful consideration needs to be given to the environmental impact of materials considered for use in the project. Contrary to literature review findings, which indicated that sustainable procurement was a popular practice in UK construction industry, the survey respondents only rated sustainable procurement the fourth most engaged sustainability practice with a mean value of 2.26. Carbon reduction commitment was rated fifth with a mean value of 2.39. This is, however, a surprise as he above scheme has been made compulsory by the UK government. The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is a mandatory UK energy saving and carbon emissions reduction and rading scheme which covers both public and private sector organisations. The interpretation of he above table is represented graphically in Figure 3. Table 2b: Respondents Percentage of Engaged Sustainability Practices

Related Figures (6)

Figure 1: Key Sustainable Construction Themes and Issues
Figure 1: Key Sustainable Construction Themes and Issues
Construction operations produce large volumes of waste but the effects can be minimised by adopting a construction site waste management plan that only specify and purchase materials needed for the project and at the same time recycle and reuse waste to reduce the am ount of waste going to the landfills thereby minimising landfill costs to the organization (LDSA 2008). Construction organizations could make a considerable contribution to the sus development agenda by reducing the amount of construction waste that is being sent to | through the adoption of excellent waste management systems on construction projects ainable andfills WRAP 2011). Hamid and Kamar (2012) believe that construction organizations can achieve environmental, social, and economic sustainability through waste minimisation by re ducing, reusing, and recycling construction materials. The best sustainable waste management practice means using efficient resources that will produce less waste and, where waste is produced, dealing with it more efficiently. The adoption of the waste hierarchy framework for sus waste management will minimize waste generation on construction sites (Kibert 2008; and Tan 2010). The waste hierarchy framework is illustrated in Figure 2. Cons ainable Hwang truction organizations will benefit from the adoption of good waste management practices in terms of reduced material and disposal costs, meeting planning requirements, and producing lower carbon emissions, resulting in increased competitive advantage to the organization (WRAP 2011)
Construction operations produce large volumes of waste but the effects can be minimised by adopting a construction site waste management plan that only specify and purchase materials needed for the project and at the same time recycle and reuse waste to reduce the am ount of waste going to the landfills thereby minimising landfill costs to the organization (LDSA 2008). Construction organizations could make a considerable contribution to the sus development agenda by reducing the amount of construction waste that is being sent to | through the adoption of excellent waste management systems on construction projects ainable andfills WRAP 2011). Hamid and Kamar (2012) believe that construction organizations can achieve environmental, social, and economic sustainability through waste minimisation by re ducing, reusing, and recycling construction materials. The best sustainable waste management practice means using efficient resources that will produce less waste and, where waste is produced, dealing with it more efficiently. The adoption of the waste hierarchy framework for sus waste management will minimize waste generation on construction sites (Kibert 2008; and Tan 2010). The waste hierarchy framework is illustrated in Figure 2. Cons ainable Hwang truction organizations will benefit from the adoption of good waste management practices in terms of reduced material and disposal costs, meeting planning requirements, and producing lower carbon emissions, resulting in increased competitive advantage to the organization (WRAP 2011)
Analysis of Interview Results
Analysis of Interview Results
To what extent are construction organizations engaged in the following sustainability practices Source: Field Survey Results—Opoku and Fortune 2014
To what extent are construction organizations engaged in the following sustainability practices Source: Field Survey Results—Opoku and Fortune 2014
Figure 3 shows the extent to which UK construction organizations are engaged in each of the identified sustainability practices in terms of “most engaged, very engaged, engaged, slightly engaged and least engaged.” More than half of the survey respondents (57%) are “mostly engaged” in sustainable waste management whilst almost half (48%) of construction organizations who took part in the study are “mostly engaged” in sustainable design.
Figure 3 shows the extent to which UK construction organizations are engaged in each of the identified sustainability practices in terms of “most engaged, very engaged, engaged, slightly engaged and least engaged.” More than half of the survey respondents (57%) are “mostly engaged” in sustainable waste management whilst almost half (48%) of construction organizations who took part in the study are “mostly engaged” in sustainable design.
Related topics:
Sustainable Building DesignSustainable ConstructionSustainable Procurement in ConstructionSustainable LeadershipSustainable Construction Practices
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