Caspian Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 2(AICCE'12 & GIZ' 12), pp. 285-291, 2013 Available online at http://www.cjasr.com ISSN: 2251-9114, ©2012 CJASR 285 AWAM International Conference on Civil Engineering & Geohazard Information Zonation Materials Wastage Estimations on Building Construction Projects in Uganda Lawrence. Muhwezi * , Leonard. M. Chamuriho 1 and Ninatubu. M. Lema 1 * Kyambogo University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil and Building Engineering, P. O. Box 7181, Kampala, Uganda. 1 University of Dar-es-Salaam, College of Engineering and Technology, Department of Structural and Construction Engineering, P. O. Box 35131, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. * Corresponding Author: lmuhwezi@hotmail.com Materials wastages on building construction projects has been identified as a major problem in the Ugandan construction industry and it has caused significant impacts on health, aesthetics and the general environment. There is no available data on exact quantities and their causes which would provide a necessary tool for evaluating these quantities and hence help in making the adequate decisions for their minimization and sustainable management. Data was collected by observations of site activities, handling and usage of materials, from site drawings and bills of quantities. This research presents the findings of a study carried out on four construction sites in Kampala district to investigate materials wastage levels for five basic construction materials on sites. Wastage levels and waste causes are discussed. The results indicate that materials wastage on Ugandan construction sites are much higher than the nominal values estimators use in their cost estimates and there is high variability in material wastage for different building projects. Understanding the causes and quantities of these wastes will assist project managers and engineers in discovering alternative ways for their reduction in order to increase projects’ performances. Most of these wastes are controllable and their reduction can be achieved by creating waste awareness among site personnel and making improvements in general company management on waste related issues. Key word: Materials wastes, building projects, waste reduction, wastage levels 1. INTRODUCTION Material waste has been considered to be a major problem in the construction industry. The growth in construction activities increases the amount of construction waste generated (Chandrakanthi et al., 2002). According to Ganesan (2000), construction materials account for the largest input into construction activities, in the range of 50-60% of the total project cost. Unfortunately, this large portion of materials is not wholly utilized by the industry. Due to lack of consideration given to waste generation reduction strategies during planning and design stages, estimators often plan for extra construction materials (Shen and Tam, 2002). Waste in construction is not only focused on material waste on sites but also on labour, capital, time and machinery. However, material wastage is of more concern because most of the raw materials from which construction inputs are derived come from non-renewable resources. Accounting for these wastes is very important as it can assist management in improving resource allocation, minimising waste and increasing productivity (Pheng and Meng, 1997). The cost of waste affects the competitive edge of contractors, making their survival more difficult in a competitive environment (Macozoma, 2002). The generation of wastes does not only represent a great loss to the nation’s resources but also a loss of profits to contractors due to extra overhead costs and delays in work execution which lead to lower productivity (Skoyles and Skoyles, 1987). One way to improve the quality and efficiency of the construction industry is by reduction of waste at all stages of the construction process (Egan, 1998). Construction and demolition waste have become a burden to clients, as they have to bear the cost of waste eventually (Skoyles and Skoyles, 1987). 1.1. Materials waste concept As much as 50% of all materials extracted from the earth’s crust are transformed into construction materials and products (USEPA, 1995 and Arpad, 2004). Studies have shown that not all materials procured and delivered to sites are used for the