India’s construction industry generates about 150-500 million tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste annually, posing challenges such as unauthorised dumping and improper disposal.

While this data is alarming, has India been treating this waste well?

Recently, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India, has underscored the need for efficient solutions to manage the increasing amount of C&D waste generated by the construction sector. He has also stressed the importance of technologies supporting waste reduction and recycling. While speaking at a recently held National Workshop by CPWD in collaboration with SINTEF Norway on ‘Recent Development with recycling and use of C&D waste in the construction sector’, the minister commended the government’s efforts towards sustainable waste management, noting significant progress in solid waste processing from 17% in 2014 to over 77% in 2024. He also emphasised the release of comprehensive guidelines on effective disposal of C&D waste and initiatives to collect data on C&D waste generation and promote its separation at source.

Further, highlighting the strides made by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the minister cited the processing of 78% of the C&D waste generated daily in the NCR region as a testament to the government’s commitment to waste management.

But going beyond the NCR region, what does the India report card say?

Going beyond 1%

India manages to recover and recycle only about 1% of its C&D waste, said a Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) analysis in 2020.

The good news is that this rate has improved! “It is no longer 1%,” confirms Mitashi Singh, Programme Manager, Sustainable Buildings and Habitat Programme, CSE. While this figure stems from a study conducted previously, she says, “Since then, India has made significant progress, especially considering that at that time, we only had a few recycling plants, approximately five or six, scattered across the country.” Referring to CSE’s recent study conducted and published in December 2023, she reveals that India now has approximately 27 operational plants. These plants have a combined capacity of about 13,000 to 14,000 tonne per day. This plus, there are around 26 or 27 more C&D waste plants in the pipeline, either under construction or proposed by various cities. (see tables on Pg 29).

Despite there being progress, Girish Dravid, Director, Sterling Engineering Consultancy Services, believes, “The issue of C&D waste has been a longstanding concern in India, yet concrete actions have been lacking. He adds that while there have been recycling initiatives in some cities, they seem to have faltered due to limited response from developers and lack of government enthusiasm.” He calls for urgent attention as C&D waste occupies substantial space in the environment, despite the availability of technology to recycle it into usable concrete.

C&D waste recycling commenced in India in Delhi in 2009, with the first regulations introduced in 2016, says Pradeep Kr Khandelwal, Consultant, Arbitrator, Valuer, Chief Engineer (Retd.) Municipal Corporation of Delhi. However, he adds, “Recycling primarily occurs in metro cities due to available land. The challenge lies in awareness, collection, transportation, and processing. Moreover, acceptance and specifications for recycled materials have been slow to develop, contributing to the low recycling rate.”

According to Mahesh Mudda, Managing Director & CEO, New Consolidated Construction Co Ltd (NCCCL), currently, many corporations are actively involved in implementing decentralised debris management solutions. “While various models have been introduced for debris management, there is still significant progress to be made. Unfortunately, many developers and small builders have yet to fully comply with the regulations.” He points out to Mumbai stating that notable efforts have been witnessed in recent months to strictly enforce these norms, with stringent penalties imposed for non-compliance during C&D activities to prevent pollution.

The C&D recycling graph

The pace of C&D waste recycling and development has been rapid, and Singh attributes this to significant funding. She says that it is not just from the Swachh Bharat Mission, which serves as the primary initiative for waste management in India, launched in 2016. The second phase was recently introduced, urging cities to prepare comprehensive action plans for solid waste, including separate requests for C&D waste management. “Cities now need to estimate their C&D waste generation and request funding accordingly,” she says, adding, “Another initiative aiming to improve ambient air quality is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) that was launched in 2019. With 131 cities failing to meet air quality standards as of 2021, there is a target to improve air quality by up to 40% by 2026.” This initiative involves rigorous monitoring, prompting cities to track progress regularly and update the Central Government quarterly or even more frequently. This has also spurred the establishment of C&D waste recycling plants.

Further, with the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act 1992, urban local bodies (ULBs) were assigned with numerous responsibilities, including solid waste management and sanitation. Despite these duties, some actions remained unclear. With the NCAP, ULBs gained the responsibility to ensure clean air in cities, though not solely accountable. The Commission acknowledged the need to empower ULBs further, allocating approximately Rs 30,000 crore to identified ULBs for improving air quality and waste management. This funding allows ULBs to enhance waste management infrastructure under NCAP, contingent upon demonstrating performance for accessing subsequent funds.

As Singh informs, this is where organisations such as CSE play a pivotal role. “CSE continues to support ULBs in developing effective waste management systems. With increased funding and the imperative for ULBs to utilise allocated funds, significant progress has been made in recent years, with expectations of further advancements as the market for C&D waste recycling technologies continues to expand.”

The challenge zone

Addressing the challenges in C&D waste recycling is crucial for sustainable waste management, encompassing awareness and regulatory gaps, infrastructure shortcomings, and economic considerations such as cost implications and benefits compared to traditional disposal methods.

Dravid highlights economic viability as a primary challenge, citing the lack of cost-effectiveness in recycling and the need for increased awareness about the diverse applications of recycled debris. He also emphasises the need for effective regulations and incentives for using recycled products, along with the establishment of specific conditions for developing these materials.

Singh echoes concerns about regulatory gaps, noting the inconsistent enforcement of guidelines aimed at controlling dust emissions. She emphasises the importance of tightening regulations and ensuring accountability, particularly in the private sector, to improve ambient air quality standards. Additionally, she discusses the adoption of dry and wet processes for recycling C&D waste and highlights the cost benefits associated with formal sector involvement.

With the infrastructure in place, public awareness and communication are key to ensuring seamless waste disposal processes. Addressing these challenges is essential for promoting environmental conservation and resource management in India.

Much needed collaboration

So, what will it take to achieve sustainable urban development in the context of C&D waste management?

Collaborative efforts among the government, private sector, and public is going to be crucial. Singh highlights, “The government plays a key role in raising public awareness through campaigns and community engagement.” She adds that initiatives like city mobile apps for C&D waste collection requests need to be widely promoted. The government must also regulate the construction industry, particularly small developers and contractors, by enforcing mandates and building their capacity to comply with waste management regulations. This involves informing developers of all scales about regulatory frameworks and enforcing penalties for noncompliance. Collaborative workshops and awareness programmes can serve as effective measures to educate and engage stakeholders in sustainable waste management practices.

According to Mudda, a collaborative effort would significantly enhance value and make a difference. “Mere discussions are insufficient; the involvement of a third-party agency to monitor and ensure compliance with established protocols is crucial.” He adds that implementing systematic measures, such as a checklist approach, will undoubtedly be beneficial. Looking ahead, as many Indian cities are now reaching the 70-80-year mark, redevelopment becomes inevitable. Demolition is often the first step in redevelopment projects, presenting various challenges. However, effective recycling can play a pivotal role in maximising the utilisation of materials in future construction endeavours.

On his part, Dravid adds, “Sustainable urban development requires concerted efforts driven by government regulations.” It is essential for stakeholders to collectively work towards sustainable practices, particularly as we aim to reduce carbon footprints and maximise resource efficiency.

Agreeing that collaboration is vital, Khandelwal strongly believes that sustained efforts involving legislation, standards, and incentives are needed for widespread adoption.

The National Highways Authority of India stands as a significant potential consumer of recycled waste, while metro rail projects and large-scale infrastructure undertakings dot the nation’s landscape. Concurrently, urban redevelopment initiatives are gaining momentum. And while these endeavours promise substantial economic growth for India, they will inevitably also churn out vast amounts of C&D waste. Urgent action is imperative to recycle and manage this burgeoning waste stream. The time to act is now!