Expert Views from New Zealand on Barriers to Recycling Construction Waste

Construction waste (CW) recycling is becoming increasingly important in New Zealand due to growing environmental concerns, escalating demand for residential construction, and a scarcity of building materials. This study explores the barriers to CW recycling in New Zealand through semi-structured interviews with experts in the residential construction sector. The primary objective of this paper is to identify barriers to recycling CW and understand the current perspectives of professionals toward CW recycling in New Zealand’s residential construction sector. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant experts, including development managers and waste management and sustainability professionals in New Zealand. The collected data were analysed using a thematic approach to identify key themes and response patterns. The findings suggest that while there is a rising awareness of the importance of CW recycling in New Zealand, there are still significant barriers to its adoption. The identified barriers were categorised into four categories: (i) recycling infrastructure, (ii) recycled materials availability, (iii) cost of recycling, and (iv) awareness and education. Despite these barriers, there is a growing interest in implementing CW recycling best practices, such as investigating end-of-life options for building materials and initiating take-back schemes with suppliers. This study highlights the need for a more coordinated and collaborative approach to recycling CW in New Zealand. The study also emphasises the importance of addressing the barriers identified in the interviews to promote the broader adoption of CW recycling practices and reduce the environmental impact of the residential construction sector.