Introduction
This study seeks to find the environmental and economical impacts of using recycled materials in the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates.
Thesis
The impact of applying recycled materials in the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates is yet to be experienced in the environmental and economic
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to find the result of using recycled materials in the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates. The study will include economic and technical evaluations.
Background
The economy of the United Arab Emirates hugely depends on the construction industry (UAE Interact. 2008, 1). Many constructions are to be done within the region. Yet, availability of natural resources is hugely affecting this industry. There are inadequate natural collections for the concrete, insufficient iron ore for the production of steel and shortage of fresh water sources. Cement is locally available while the rest of the products are imported. During the highest market levels, demands have been exceeding the supply and hence cement is imported (Samarai & Qudah, 2007, 14). Previous studies have confirmed that the region produces at least 120 million tons of wastes annually. The performance of the facades dictates the energy performance in the constructed buildings. This is based on the formation of the intermediate of the internal comfort and the external climatic state and the management of the daylight and changes of heat within the space. This has become an essential tool in predicting the consumption of energy within the buildings.
Many factors contribute to the production of wastes (Samarai & Qudah, 2007, 12). These factors are categorized into procurement, design, operation, and management of materials. Wastes that are products of design lead in the percentage of wastes. Around 18% of these are solid construction wastes. The main reason for such huge levels of wastes remains to be high increase rates of the population, rapid urbanization, diversity in cultures, development in the construction industry, and imbalanced populations. There is need for the government and the private sector to embrace commitment and investment. Proper planning is also a requirement when energy is involved (UAE Interact, 2008, 1). There is therefore need to emphasize on positive attitude towards waste management to further cut on the cost of procurement and management.
Methodology
This research will be carried out through simulation, and qualitative and quantitative methods. This project is expected to take two years. Pilot survey is expected to be carried within the first one month. Evaluation of the viability of the project is to be carried out within two months. Data collection will take one year. Thereafter, data analysis will take six months. Thereafter, the researchers will confirm whether the study is viable or not before releasing it to the public. The climatic model for the United Arab Emirates will be determined through simulation. Determination for the building morphology and operational profile will also be necessary. Random participants will be chosen to answer questionnaires and interview questions on issues related to the management of wastes. Their feedback will be quantitatively analyzed to better understand the position of the public concerning wastes recycling in the construction industry. Surveys will be carried through to affirm the behaviors of the people and the benefits accrued from the recycling process.
Impact of Recycling Materials within the Construction Industry
Among the many benefits of recycling is reduction of costs. Changes have been made on the operations and practices to minimize the demand for the new materials. The wastes that add up to the landfill is further reduced, creating a cleaner and healthier environment. There is reduction of the costs of manufacturing and transportation. The energy and water required for the construction from the primary sources is also reduced. This further reduces the greenhouses gases and their effects. Concrete, glass, and plastics for instance are recyclable materials when sorted well. By recycling them, the region will be economically stable. Through this study, the demands of the present age will be met without any compromise of the future abilities. Moreover, less energy would be consumed; hence, lower levels of environmental pollution. By recycling the solid wastes to meet construction needs, a significant percentage of wastes will be reduced and hence a better approach of managing wastes. There shall be conservation of the depleting natural resources, energy preservation, and minimization of pollution.
Environmental benefits are also many. By using wastes, dependence on the natural resources such as minerals is reduced. There is also the reduction of the levels of wastes, which further reduces health problems experienced around the wastes sites by the surrounding communities (Wrap, 2007, 77). The cost of recycling most of the products is cheaper than the cost of producing these products and the cost of removing them from the site. Moreover, these products have more than one uses when being recycled: Concrete aggregate can be recycled in various construction applications instead of new concrete. The deflection of the pavements from the recycled concrete is less under load than with the natural concrete. Therefore, recycled concrete can be used in the sub-base layer in the construction of pavement on the roadway. Brick realized from recycled products have the properties that fall within the specified requirements. Concrete rubbles and asphalt can be used in the drainage and packaging of the rain pipes. They can also be used in the base and the sub-base layers in the construction of roads, and road paving.
By adapting to this form of waste management, the public will enjoy better environment, which can be used to construct modern structures for entrepreneurs. This will facilitate conversion of at least three million tones of wastes into useful products; hence, most of the wastes will be reduced. This is because majority of these come from construction. The result will be safer environment for future generation. The economic impact felt is estimated to be at least 5% of the gross domestic product. This implies that as more wastes will be reduced, more of the gross domestic product will be realized. The result will be balanced economy in the region and stable development in other sectors. This is because the bulk of the stress in industrialization shall have been overcome as construction industry has a direct relationship with the economic well being of the region. More of employment opportunities shall be realized, there will be increased competition among other industries, which will further affect the GDP. Moreover, by reducing these wastes, more than 20% of the global warming shall reduce and hence more of the ecological self-sustenance.
Energy efficient glazing system is necessary to meet the demands of having low energy buildings. These buildings are to curb the emissions of carbon, which is brought by the arbitrary use of fossil fuel in heating, and cooling glazed structures. These are the current international standards for the commercial structures. As 45% of the acquired heat gain is because of the building density and the use of the equipment, buildings that are to be sustainable are to activate the façade and establish a construction envelop to control the changes of heat. This also incorporates the application of the renewable energy technology to add to the energy requirements of the building. Moreover, they affect the cost of materials of the replacing glazing. This greatly improves the performance of the building façade and the general consumption of energy to the building. This is especially in the United Arab Emirates as the solar incidence is high while the cooling loads are huge.
Recommendation
As a way of minimizing environmental pollution risks, there is, need to create policies that will curb illegal dumping of the design wastes. This approach of recycling can be implemented as an alternative means of acquiring raw products. Through these means, these are promotion of the resource conservation and improvement of the environment by eliminating the green houses effect. Economic and viable means need to be created to further manage this system and economically benefit from it. There is also need for more public awareness on the management of wastes through recycling. This is to change the perception and attitude of people in the recycling of the wastes.
Conclusion
This study was carried out to analyze the impact of recycling products in the construction industry in United Arab Emirates. It was realized that the cost of recycling is cheaper than the cost of either recycling or moving the wastes to the site. Therefore, construction using the recycled products is a modern technique of managing the solid wastes. The economic and environmental benefits accrued from the waste recycling can be used as the strong drivers to wastes management.
References
Samarai, M. A. & Qudah, L. M. 2007. Planning Sustainable Mega Projects in UAE. World Housing Congress. Pages 12-39
UAE Interact. 2008. United Arab Emirates Yearbook: Economic Development www.uaeinteraact.com
WRAP. 2007. Current Practices and Potential in Modern Methods of Construction. Waste and Resources Action Program. Banbury. Pages 69-82