FP5 PROJECTS - JPods

4.3.1 Sustainable construction and reconstruction of large groups of buildings and urban infrastructure
WAMBUCO (European Waste Manual for Building Construction)
Project Reference: EVK4-CT-2002-30006 Start Date: 01-10-2002
Contract Type: CRAFT End Date: 31-09-2004
Project URL: http://www.wambuco.net Duration: 24 months
Problems to be solved
Scientific objectives and approach
The overall goal of the production of a European Waste Manual for Building Construction which will be
used as a tool by the building industry to optimise waste management during the building process. The
specific aims of the project are:
1. Producing planning aids incorporating trades-specific waste parameters in order to achieve a
reduction of building waste by up to 25 per cent by weight.
2. Optimising the separation of building-site waste and increasing the proportion of separated re-usable
materials of more than 75 per cent by weight
3. Reducing emissions produced by waste-disposal traffic by up to 40 per cent
4. Increasing the productivity of all trades by more than 2 per cent
5. Increasing the interest of building sponsors, architects and investors in a low-waste and recyclingoriented
approach to building
6. Reducing the amount of work required on the building site for the transport of materials and waste
materials
7. Reducing the threat accidents and fire on building sites
8. Reducing resource and the cost of materials
Within the framework of detailed country studies, approaches to low-waste and recycling-oriented building
will be identified. Based in these approaches, an appropriate form of building waste management is to be
developed and implemented in five countries within the European Union. In conjunction with training
centres for the building trades, potentials for building-site waste avoidance in the case of building
construction will be investigated at the level of individual trades.
As first step, a central waste management logistics system for building projects will be established by the
research institutions. The central waste management structure will connect all participating firms and
waste management facility within the building project. On selected building sites, the research institutions
will co-ordinate the collection by small and medium-sized building and waste management enterprises of
data concerning building performance and waste potentials.
Training and further training centres of the building industry will be involved in the research project. On
their rehearsal construction sites, experimental programmes will be conducted focusing on the testing of
low-waste building procedures. This will effect sensitivity towards waste avoidance, and lay the base for
curriculum adaptation.
The links between building performance and waste yield will be analysed for wall, ceiling, floor, facade,
roof and cladding constructions. The building parameters influencing waste yield will be analysed, and
optimisation measures involving variable material input will be conducted with regard to the use of
materials and packaging,
The research institutions will translate the waste-yield data provided by the two research programmes into
key waste parameters relating to building practices. The results of the research project will then be
compiled and presented in the form of a European Waste Manual for Building Construction.