Polytechnic Of Namibia

Compiled by:1. Mouyelele Haufiku2. Julia Josua

Introduction

The rate of demolishing buildings in Namibia is very low, what mostly happen is renovation/extensions of old buildings plans. However when buildings get to finally be demolished, reuse of components as an alternative is explored.

Procedures concerning the handling of demolished buildings and construction materials in Namibia

Waste management hierarchy in order of Priority

Prevention

Recovery& Reuse

Disposal

What happens to recovered demolished materials?

• Common construction and demolished materials that are re-used include doors, corrugated irons, planks/ timbers, poles e.t.c this is an advantage because reusing makes a lot of economic and environmental sense.

• Mainly communities self-organise themselves to recover as much from demolished buildings as possible. Example, broken timbers are re-used as firewood and corrugated irons are re-used to make shack buildings as housing for the poor.

• Materials that are badly damaged after demolishing e.g glass are being recycled.

• Those that cannot be recycled are taken to landfill sites.

Some of the recovered materials

Wash-basins and sinks

Door Sets

Timbers recovered from the roof of demolished building

Bricks

National regulations

Namibia’s laws are published in the Government Gazette; concerning the builders waste it states that only the The municipality may appoint or authorize a person to recover any waste from the site for the purposes of reuse or recycling or using such recovered waste as raw or other material in the manufacture of a new, recycled or any other product.