5S principles for sustainable resource and waste management in Sri Lankan construction projects

Abstract

The significant resource consumption and waste generation in the construction sector highlights the imperative for sustainable management of resources and waste, particularly in Sri Lanka. Over time, various techniques have emerged as potential solutions to address this challenge, with the 5S technique standing out as a widely discussed approach. This technique is focused on producing high-quality outputs with minimal wastage and high productivity, making it well-suited for sustainable resource and waste management. However, despite its potential, there is limited research exploring its application in this context within the construction domain, specifically in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the applicability of 5S principles for sustainable resource and waste management in Sri Lankan construction projects. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on the 5S principles and the concept of sustainable resource and waste management, which led to the development of a conceptual framework for the application of 5S principles for sustainable resource and waste management. Following this, a pilot study using interviews was conducted to investigate the specific activities that could be implemented under the individual 5S principles for sustainable resource and waste management. Integrating these activities within construction projects could help mitigate the negative environmental impacts associated with resource consumption and waste generation in the industry.