USING COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS TO EVALUATE LEAN-GREEN PROPOSALS FOR A CONSTRUCTION NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION

The purpose of this study was to analyze the environmental impact of a non-profit association working in the field of construction to eradicate house poverty of needy families in Portugal through volunteer work. Two construction programs were analyzed as case studies and proposals aiming to reduce the negative impact of on-site wastes were evaluated. In addition, the selection of materials and suppliers, and the transport logistics were also addressed. The study relied in two main approaches: 1) apply lean and its links with environmental sustainability to identify areas of improvement and 2) perform a cost-benefit analysis for the economic assessment study and demonstrate the societal benefits of the proposals. Data were collected through forms, questionnaires, informal conversations, and direct observation on-site in two case studies, allowing to gather opinions about different types of problems that could lead to environmental wastes in the area of supplier's selection, warehousing, waste management, and resource consumption of materials, water, and energy. Considering the main identified problems, suggestions for improvement were developed. The results proved the interest of the waste and resources management proposals with their social value translated into a benefit-cost ratio above 1.