SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE IN INDIA

Abstract

Construction and demolition waste marks a high percentage of the total solid waste generated globally and still is continuously rising because of the boom in housing and building industry. There is not a single definition to C&D waste as it depends on a no. of factors and differs according to the location, type of the project, type of work undertaken and on the age of structure. All these issues collectively make it complicated to find a generic solution to construction and demolition waste management problems. As per a report of world bank for the year 2012, cities across the globe generates about “1.3 million ton of solid waste per annum” and by 2025 it is expected to increase to “2.2 billion ton. Out of this quantity of solid waste, waste produced from construction industry known as C&D waste contributes nearly 50% globally and which will pose significant impacts on society and environment. More over the sustainable management of C&D waste especially in developing countries like India is discussed only on political stages and on documents because the govt. don’t have the approach and framework to tackle this ever growing pile of waste and the nuisance created by it as till now the conventional treatment of construction and demolition waste is to dump them either in landfills or in the water bodies. C&D waste has tremendous potential for material recovery and if policies and regulation are framed keeping in mind the idea and innovative techniques of reuse, reduce and recycle of waste, this will mark a substantial decrease in the use of virgin building material along with saving of resources for future thus making recycling the most viable option. The present study is carried out to understand the problem of C&D waste in India; to investigate the current practices adopted; to check for the govt. policies for C&D waste; to check the Environmental impacts, socio-economic impacts and sustainability impacts; and to discuss the business opportunities for C&D waste management. This dissertation is based on literature review carried out, case study of IL&FS waste processing facility and legal framework in the form of “C&D waste management rules 2016.