Abstract:
One of the danger to the environment is waste due to the present method of removing building, a technique for handling this waste must be adopted with the increasing rate in number structures. Therefore, this research explore deconstruction initiatives in Construction Industry in Lagos State as a means of building removal. Data were collected through the administration of questionnaires to construction professional experts who were actively involved in deconstruction projects which included Quantity Surveyors, Structural Engineers, Project Managers, Architects, and Builders. Six (6) organizations were chosen because they are active involved in deconstruction. Fifteen (15) questionnaires were distributed to those that engaged in deconstruction activities in each organization chosen. Seventy-two (72) of the questionnaires were returned out of (90) given out from all the 6 organizations. Forty - eight (48) questionnaires were found suitable for analysis after collection. This represents a response rate of 53.33% of the number distributed. Data collected were analyzed using percentiles, Mean Item Score, Kruskal Wallis test. The results revealed that burning of unwanted materials, waste disposal or landfill, using of recovered materials, waste management and soft stripping of some components before demolition were the top important usage of deconstruction techniques. The results also revealed that the most applied deconstruction techniques were burning of refuse, landfill and removal of wanted components in a building before demolition. Burning and burying of waste was quite common in developing countries. The results also showed that the most important benefits are urban renewal of the environment, increase diversion rate of demolition waste from landfills, minimize waste, business development opportunity, revenue and creation of jobs. Based on conclusion, the study has been able to examined the usage of deconstruction techniques, effectiveness of various deconstruction techniques, benefits and barriers to the use of deconstruction techniques in construction industry in Lagos State.
