Construction and Demolition waste management

Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste management in India has emerged as a significant environmental and urban management challenge. Read here to learn more.

Rapid urbanization, booming construction activities, and the subsequent demolition processes contribute extensively to the generation of C&D waste.

This waste stream includes materials like concrete, bricks, wood, metal, tiles, and plastic, which, if not managed properly, can lead to environmental degradation, pollution, and loss of valuable landfill space.

Construction industry in India

The Construction industry in India consists of the Real estate as well as the Urban development segment.

• The Real estate segment covers residential, office, retail, hotels, and leisure parks, among others.
• The urban development segment broadly consists of sub-segments such as Water supply, Sanitation, Urban transport, Schools, and Healthcare.
• 100% Foreign direct investment in the construction industry in India under automatic route is permitted in completed projects for operations and management of townships, malls/shopping complexes, and business constructions.
• 100% Foreign direct investment in the construction industry is allowed under the automatic route for urban infrastructures such as urban transport, water supply, sewerage, and sewage treatment.

United Nations projects India’s population to be 1.64 Bn by 2047, an estimated 51% of India’s population is likely to be living in urban centers.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste

Construction and demolition waste encompasses a wide range of materials generated from construction, renovation, and demolition activities.

• This waste stream is composed of a variety of materials, including concrete, bricks, wood, metal, glass, and plastics, as well as more hazardous materials like asbestos and lead-based paints.

India’s urban centers are expanding rapidly, leading to an increase in construction activities and, consequently, C&D waste. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) estimates that Indian cities generate millions of tonnes of C&D waste annually.

• The construction industry is among the fastest-growing industries in India.
• It is the second-largest employer in the country and has forward and backward linkages across 250 sectors of the economy.
• It is estimated that India will have the third-largest construction market globally by 2025

However, the actual figures could be much higher due to underreporting and illegal dumping.

The management of this waste is complicated by the lack of segregation, inadequate collection systems, and limited awareness about recycling practices.

Policy Framework and Regulations

Recognizing the need for effective C&D waste management, the Government of India introduced the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules in 2016, a first of its kind to specifically address C&D waste. These rules mandate local authorities to:

• Use construction materials made from recycled C&D waste to a certain percentage in municipal and government contracts.
• Establish waste management facilities for C&D waste.
• Encourage the proper segregation of waste at the source and its channeling to recycling facilities.

Despite these regulations, implementation remains inconsistent across different states and cities due to various challenges, including financial constraints, lack of technical expertise, and limited public awareness.

Challenges in Construction and demolition waste management

Construction and demolition waste is one of the largest solid waste streams in the world. As per estimates, the construction industry in India generates about 150-500 million tonnes of C&D waste every year.

This brings many challenges to the forefront such as unauthorized dumping, a lack of space for disposal, and improper mixing with biodegradable waste. In this context, there is a huge demand for technologies that will support waste reduction and recycling of waste material.

• Lack of Segregation: The effective recycling and management of C&D waste are hindered by the lack of segregation at the source. Mixed waste complicates processing and reduces the quality of recycled materials.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: There is a significant gap in the required infrastructure for C&D waste processing. While some major cities have started setting up recycling units, many areas still lack these facilities.
• Policy Implementation: There is a gap between policy formulation and its implementation. Local bodies often face challenges due to limited funds, lack of expertise, and insufficient enforcement mechanisms.
• Awareness and Attitude: General awareness about the importance of C&D waste management and recycling is low among stakeholders, including construction companies, contractors, and the public. This results in illegal dumping and non-compliance with regulations.

C&D waste management strategies

• Reduce: Minimizing waste at the source involves designing buildings with fewer materials and using prefabricated components to cut down on off-cuts and excess.
• Reuse: Many materials like doors, windows, and fixtures can be reused in other construction projects, reducing the need for new materials.
• Recycle: Materials such as concrete, bricks, and metals can be recycled. Concrete, for example, can be crushed and reused as aggregate for new construction projects.
• Recovery: Energy can be recovered from certain waste materials through processes like incineration or anaerobic digestion.
• Disposal: The last resort for C&D waste that cannot be reused, recycled, or recovered should be disposed of in environmentally safe landfills.

Way Forward

The urban missions which were launched in 2015 are examples of the government’s green vision to adopt sustainable methods of infrastructure creation and service delivery.

• Strengthening Policy Implementation: Effective enforcement of existing regulations and ensuring compliance through strict penalties for illegal dumping can improve the situation.
• Capacity Building: Training programs for urban local bodies and stakeholders in the construction industry can enhance understanding and implementation of C&D waste management practices.
• Infrastructure Development: Increasing investment in recycling facilities and research in innovative recycling technologies can pave the way for efficient C&D waste management.
• Public Awareness and Participation: Raising awareness about the benefits of C&D waste recycling and encouraging public participation in segregation can significantly impact management efforts.
• Incentives for Recycling: Providing incentives to businesses and industries that utilize recycled C&D waste can foster a market for recycled materials, making the recycling process more viable and attractive.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has advised all states, union territories, and urban local bodies to collect data on C&D waste generation for every major city/town promote the separation of C&D waste at source, and establish institutional mechanisms for C&D waste collection.

Why in the news?

Recently, a National Workshop on “Recent Developments with Recycling and use of C&D Waste in the Construction Sector” was organized by CPWD in collaboration with SINTEF Norway.

• The platform allowed the participants engaged in the Construction Sector to deliberate on various aspects of promoting the use of C&D recycle items in the Construction Industry.

The statistics about the country’s urbanization demands tell that India needs to add about 700-900 million sq. meters of commercial and residential space every year by 2030.

If India is going to be a developed country by 2047, infrastructure will be a vital component of our ambition.

Conclusion

Effective management of C&D waste is crucial for sustainable urban development in India.

While challenges remain, a combination of robust policy frameworks, improved infrastructure, stakeholder participation, and public awareness can significantly enhance the efficiency of C&D waste management.

Moving forward, a holistic approach involving government, industry, and citizens is essential to address the growing issue of C&D waste and to promote recycling and sustainable waste management practices.

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-Article by Swathi Satish