Wood waste minimization practices in residential construction

The construction industry in the United States continues to generate a large amount of waste that is disposed in landfills. A large component of the waste stream emanating from construction projects is composed of wood and wood products. Addressing the problem of minimizing wood waste from construction has large economic and environmental implications. This research investigates industry best practices utilized to minimize wood waste generated by the construction of single family and multi-family housing to determine if these practices can be applied to the industry as a whole. Qualitative research was conducted using semi-structured interviews of construction professionals experienced in wood frame construction. In addition, quantitative research was conducted based on data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Census Bureau to quantify the amount of waste wood generated by the construction of single family and multi-family housing. The research indicates that design, schedule constraints and inexperienced labour all contribute to the generation of waste wood. The most effective wood waste minimization practices include segregation and reuse, accurate quantity estimation, and deliveries matching construction sequence. Matching the most effective waste minimizing practices to the causes of waste generation in an economically sustainable manner is the key to wood waste reduction.