A four-quadrant conceptual framework for analyzing extended producer responsibility in offshore prefabrication construction

Jinying Xu; Meng Ye; Weisheng Lu; Zhikang Bao; Chris Webster

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124540

A four-quadrant conceptual framework for analyzing extended producer responsibility in offshore prefabrication construction

J Clean Prod. 2021 Feb 1:282:124540. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124540. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

Authors

Jinying Xu¹, Meng Ye², Weisheng Lu¹, Zhikang Bao¹, Chris Webster³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
² School of Economics and Management, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
³ Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Abstract

Prefabrication has been widely advocated as a green production strategy to minimize the adverse environmental impacts of construction. Amid economic globalization, prefabricated construction materials are commonly sourced offsite and even offshore. As an issue emerging alongside offshore prefabrication, extended producer responsibility (EPR) is yet to be clearly identified, allocated, and implemented. This research develops a conceptual framework using a design thinking process, through which EPR associated with offshore prefabrication can be analyzed, agreed upon, and allocated. By considering the scope and scale of the responsibility and the procurement methods, the framework comprises four quadrants representing four typical scenarios for implementation of the EPR principle. It is applicable for both short-term and lifelong EPR analysis, in both traditional and integrated project delivery contexts. The framework will be particularly useful for devising public policies to achieve an onshore and offshore stakeholder win-win situation.

Keywords: Construction waste management; Design thinking; Extended producer responsibility; Offshore prefabrication construction.