Barcode technology for an incentive reward program to reduce construction wastes

A group-based incentive reward program (IRP) has been implemented in this study to minimize avoidable wastes of construction materials by rewarding workers according to the amounts and values of materials they saved. The barcode technique is used to facilitate the effective management program of construction materials on site. Experiments are conducted on two residential projects in Hong Kong and results demonstrate the effectiveness of the IRP in motivating workers to reduce construction waste. Beyond this application research, the relationship between construction waste reduction and quality-time-cost performances of the project are discussed, whereas difficulties and challenges of applying the IRP and barcode technology are mentioned.