Introduction – The construction sector accounts for 40 % of all the waste in Sweden. The negative climate impact is increasing successively and to keep global warming below 2,4 – 2,6 degrees Celsius, climate measures are required. Waste reduction is a central part of preventing climate impact. The aim of the study is to find an approachof waste management in the production of industrial buildings that is economically and environmentally beneficial. The aim is to reduce the construction sector´s climate footprint by encouraging a change in waste management that is economically favorable for the companies. The study is carried out in collaboration with YLAB Larssons Bygg AB (YLAB). 

Method – The method for the report is a case study, where the production of two industrial buildings are analyzed. The study is quantitative because it is mainly based on statistics and aims to identify economic consequences through waste statistics. In addition, it is qualitative in order to create a deeper understanding. To increase the credibility of the study, triangulation is used where document study, observation and interview are the data collection techniques. To increase validity, the study is based on contemporary and scientific sources.

Results – The observation showed that the construction sites were organized, however, the waste containers were difficult to access from the ground and had inadequate signage. There were piles of leftover material from cut outs that went to waste, but there were also defective materials due to inadequate packaging.The interview showed that it was beneficial to have a waste manager on site. It was also found that the existing signage provided by PreZero (waste management company) was inadequate due to size and language barriers present at the construction site. The site managers did not work actively to identify areas for improvement of waste management.The document study showed that the total amount of waste on project A so far was circa104 tons, with a cost of circa SEK 150 000. Project B had a waste amount and a cost of circa 62 tons and SEK 120 000. The most expensive treatments were for mixed waste and the largest proportion of waste was wood on both projects. The recycling rate never exceeded 55 % on any of the projects, while the source sorting rate varied between 39- 100 %.

Analysis – In the event of early delivery, the material may be placed incorrectly and thus runs a greater risk of being damaged during transportation. In the months when the amount of waste was less, the costs for waste management were lower and when the amount of mixed waste was high, the source sorting rate was low.

Discussion – There is a clear improvement potential for the labeling of containers. Knowledge of waste management is a key factor for the waste to be sorted correctly and the amount of waste to be reduced. Good packaging can result in less defective materials, which leads to less waste. Costs are reduced by reducing waste quantities, but also by moving waste higher up in the waste hierarchy.

Keywords: Mixed waste, Recycling, Treatment, Waste hierarchy, Waste management