Noise Pollution and Waste Control Techniques in Building Construction in Nigeria: A Literature Review

The activities of the construction industry are often plagued with improper material control and operational measures that result in the production of noise and generation of waste in project sites. Waste and noise are generated in every step of the construction process, from the production of materials used, to the erection and finishing of structures. In this age of incorporating sustainability into the development of buildings and their environments, there is a need for the construction industry to substantially reduce the amount of noise and waste produced. This paper investigated various noise pollution and waste control techniques used in the construction industry in Nigeria, with a view to identify areas for further improvement. The paper is a systematic literature review which made use of document analysis to collect data and content analysis to analyse the data gathered. Descriptive approach was used to present the result. The paper examined the current state of waste and noise management and the recommendations provided. The study found that in Nigeria, the noise control technique employed is the use of noise barriers, while the waste control management strategies used are prefabricated elements, sorting waste generated, open dumping, open burning and composting disposal method. Some of the recommendations made include: discarding open dumping and open burning as waste control measures due to their negative environmental impact, developing and enforcing a legal framework for noise and construction waste. Furthermore, educating site workers on noise and waste control techniques and replacing machines that use combustion engines with those that use electrical motors. Students, educators, building industry practitioners and other construction industry stakeholders will find the study a useful material to work with, as well as build upon.