An Examination of the Development of the Construction and Demolition Waste-Related Regulations in Turkey

In order to manage construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which is harmful to the natural environment and human health, legislation has been introduced throughout the world. In Turkey, the most comprehensive regulation that deals only with C&D waste management (WM), entered into force in 2004. However, changes in the construction sector from 2004 until the present has led to inadequacies in some areas of this regulation. Therefore, a new draft regulation was prepared in 2017. This study is conducted to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the C&D WM regulations, identify the problems, and give recommendations. A three-stage methodology is adopted that includes a literature review, classifying the findings and analysing the relevant literature under the five main topics (the objective and the extent of the regulations, occupational health and safety issues, planning the demolition, collecting and transporting the produced waste, and establishing and operating the recovery plants). The findings show that the draft regulation contains arrangements for Turkey’s current conditions. The terms of the draft regulation have brought more importance to environmental and human health, and occupational health and safety issues. However, only asbestos has been highlighted in the draft regulation as a hazardous waste. The draft regulation includes a limited arrangement regarding the waste produced in the case of refurbishment projects. It is assumed that eliminating the deficiencies in the draft regulation and the enactment of it will be an important step. Thus, environmental and economic benefits for Turkey will follow

DESIGN APPROACHES TO PREVENT/REDUCE CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE GENERATED THROUGH THE USAGE PHASE OF BUILDINGS

Waste is one of the most pressing problems of the twenty-first century in Turkey and the world. The construction sector is an important part of this problem, since buildings generate significant amounts of waste during construction, usage and deconstruction/demolition phases. The longest phase in a building's lifespan is the period of its usage, which may involve enlarging, dismantling or remodeling the building. These modifications during the usage phase may result from the failure to determine the needs of the user accurately during the design phase, and range from the physical deterioration of products to changing needs, users, functions, requirements or tastes. These changes generate waste from construction materials. To prevent/reduce this waste stream, the factors that cause waste during the usage phase need to be examined in detail. Design desicions for preventing/reducing waste production at the design phase can thus be developed