Behaviour and attitudes towards recycling habits in construction : an Australian empirical study

![CDATA[Although waste management and recycling has been discussed in the construction industry for a while, the outcomes of waste management and recycling are still not in a satisfactory rate. As the previous studies are focusing on how to implement waste management and recycling, including on site sorting, the use of waste management plan and prefabrication building products. There are lack of studies trying to understanding the behaviour and attitudes in these areas. This paper investigates the behaviour and attitudes towards recycling habits in construction; understand how recycling is viewed and acted by individuals working in the industry; explain the causes of these states of mind; and formulate techniques that could be utilized to improve waste management and recycling acceptance within the industry and improve its effectiveness. A questionnaire survey and structured interviews are conducted. It is found that the industry's attitudes towards recycling habit are positive; however, their behaviour is not as strong as it should be. This means that the industry is aware and concern about recycling in construction and willing to improve the environment by develop recycling habit. However, the work environment, including work routines and operating procedures are not very well prepared than it should be to match with the recycling behaviour and thus affects the recycling outcomes. The employers are in general supportive of recycling and do all they can to help in recycling at work. Recommendations to improve the behaviour and attitudes towards recycling habits are also suggested.]]