PLS-SEM Analysis of Efficient Waste Management Practices for Green Building Status

This study investigates the effectiveness of nine different construction and demolitions waste (CDW) management practices in the context of achieving green building status. A total of 93 completed questionnaires were received from the targeted respondents in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, out of which 67 were filtered for Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4. Eight CDW management practices and 49 indicators for seven categories of factors causing wastes were finally identified to establish discriminant validity between the constructs in the model. The causes of wastes were found to be significantly correlated to the CDW management practices with a path coefficient of 0.643 (p<0.001), and the later was found to be significantly correlated to the satisfaction with the current practices of CDW management, with a path coefficient of 0.328 (p<0.01). The large f2 value of 0.703 of Causes of Wastes with CDW Management Practices indicates the importance of identifying the factors causing wastes to ensure the effectiveness of CDW management practices implemented. The Q²predict values for both the CDW Management Practices and Satisfaction are above zero, indicating their predictive relevance. All the 67 selected respondents (100%) agreed that effective CDW management practices could assist in achieving green building status. The results are relevant to those stakeholders who wish to construct green buildings because Green Building Index certification requires effective CDW management practices to be integrated into the design and construction phases to ensure wastes are disposed properly in order to reduce their adverse impacts to the environment.