Integrating Construction 5.0 Principles: Balancing Cost Efficiency and Sustainability in Contractors’ Waste Management Practices in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

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Nontlahla Mphako, Athenkosi Sogaxa and Senator Endurance Okosun

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64755/RNHV7449

Keywords: Contractors, Construction 5.0, Cost-efficient, Eastern Cape Province, Sustainability

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ABSTRACT

PURPOSE

Current studies show that contractors face persistent challenges in balancing cost efficiency with sustainable waste management practices. There is a paucity of literature regarding contractors’ waste management practices, especially in developing nations like South Africa. This study seeks to investigate cost efficiency and sustainability in contractors’ Waste management practices in construction 5.0 to achieve human-centric sustainable construction in the South African construction sector of the Eastern Cape Province.

DESIGN / APPROACH / METHODOLOGY

A quantitative research approach was used to collect data from 105 useful respondents in the South African Construction sector of the Eastern Cape Province. A relatively important index (RII) was used in this study to rank variables. Principal component analysis (PCA) was adopted to reduce a large number of variables into a smaller set of uncorrelated variables.

FINDINGS

The findings from descriptive statistics reveal saving contractors’ finance in the long run, waste disposal costs are a significant consideration, and prioritising short-term savings over long-term benefits as the most significant waste management practice. PCA show the following components: Budgetary Pressures, balancing resource use and financial outcomes in waste management, and cost-sensitive attitudes toward waste management in construction 5.0.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS / IMPLICATIONS

The study also highlights limitations, such as geographical constraints, and contractor variability, which may impact the widespread implementation of proposed waste management practices. The research provides actionable insights for policymakers, industry practitioners, and contractors seeking to optimise waste management while maintaining financial viability.

ORIGINAL / VALUE

This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable construction by uniquely integrating Construction 5.0 principles into waste management practices, a relatively underexplored area in the South African construction sector.