by Irene Yeboah, Jacqueline Sampah-Adjei and Edward M. Melomey
Introduction
Urban waste management is a pressing issue that impacts communities worldwide. In Ghana, the situation is particularly dire, with only 14% of over 30,000 metric tonnes of solid waste produced daily being collected. Furthermore, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in Ghana come from deforestation, unlawful land use, inappropriate waste disposal, and industrial processes, with paper production and usage being a key contributor.
The need for a shift towards a circular waste management system is critical in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) eleven, twelve and thirteen. With this in mind, this paper presents an innovative methodology based on systems thinking that allows for institutional adaptation to changing contexts, providing a flexible and open approach to sustainable waste management.
Circular Economy: Strategies for Reducing Paper Waste in the Construction Industry
The linear economic system of producing, using, and disposing of products is becoming increasingly unsustainable, with losses occurring at every stage in the chain. In the construction industry, the use of hard-copied documents is a significant contributor to paper waste, which negatively impacts the environment and society as a whole. To address this issue, a circular economy model of production and consumption is needed, which involves reducing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products. This cannot, however, be achieved without a circular waste management system.
Limitations of Reductionist Waste Management Techniques
Traditional waste management techniques are often reductionist and treat waste streams, sources, and management processes separately. This approach fails to consider the interdependent nature of the waste management system, leading to less effective and compartmentalized policies that do not address the root causes of the issue. To overcome these limitations, a system thinking, and design approach can be adopted as employed by Alex Ryan and Mark Leung in their analysis of understanding and intervening in large-scale systems within the Government of Alberta[1].
Systems Thinking and Design Approach
Systems thinking is a holistic approach that considers the world’s complexity in terms of relationships and wholes, enabling us to understand and manage complex issues effectively. By applying systems thinking and design, we can reduce paper pollution in the construction industry by implementing policies and systems that only accept digital documents, especially during the project design phase[2].
Through my work on solid waste initiatives both at the design and implementation stages, I have observed that submissions of hard copies of deliverables could be a major contributor to paper pollution causing severe adverse effects on air quality, water, and land as hard-copied documents are submitted to clients at every stage of the project life cycle.
This can easily be replaced with a digital submission especially when the current technological advancement allows for several digital mediums of transmission. In achieving this, individuals and stakeholders will have to be made aware of and visualise the impacts of this waste on the environment.
Learning and Stakeholder Engagement
Achieving the objective of reducing paper waste in the construction industry requires the involvement and participation of all stakeholders, such as clients, contractors, and consultants. Learning and education will play a vital role in raising awareness and fostering social responsibility, ensuring that all stakeholders are committed to achieving set goals and objectives.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Establishing a baseline, regular monitoring and evaluation of strategies are essential for achieving set goals and objectives, creating accountability and transparency. Feedback received from monitoring and evaluation serves as a learning and reference point for future strategies.
Conclusion
Adopting a systems thinking and design approach in reducing paper waste in the construction industry is crucial in addressing the issue of paper pollution from a different perspective and through different lenses. This approach will result in a reduction of waste and greenhouse emissions, leading to a more sustainable future. Achieving a circular waste management system is possible, but it requires the commitment of all stakeholders and the adoption of new policies, systems, and technologies.
[1] Ryan, A., & Leung, M. (2014). Systemic Design: Two Canadian Case Studies. FormAkademisk, 7(3). (https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.794)
[2] Sevaldson, Birger & Ryan, Alex. (2014). Relating Systems Thinking and Design I. Practical Advances in Systemic Design. FORMakademisk. 7. 10.7577/formakademisk.1233.
