Waste management in construction sites of emerging contractors in South Africa

Material management could be described as a planned procedure that includes the purchasing, delivery, handling and minimization of waste with the aim of ensuring that the requirements are met. There are indications to suggest that material management is of great concern in South Africa's construction sector, especially on sites managed by emerging contractors (young firms from the disadvantaged communities of South Africa with less than ten years in the industry). The cost of materials can exceed 50% of the cost of construction, depending on the type of construction. This proportion is high, and if appropriate measures of dealing with materials management are not adopted, there is a great possibility that the cost of materials may represent a larger proportion in the future. This indicates that an effective use and management of materials have an important influence on the company's profit, and consequently, the economy of the respective country. This paper reports on an empirical study of small contractors in the Northern Province in South Africa. The study indicates that material wastage in emerging contractors is primarily due to lack of skill, knowledge, supervision and a need for material management. This leads to ignoring the cost of material wastage and accepting waste as part of proper construction standards.