The country generates approximately 150-500 million tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste annually. Despite this volume, only about 1% of C&D waste is recycled. The waste generated is predominantly made up of concrete, cement, bricks, and similar materials, which account for up to 70% of the environmental impact associated with construction and demolition activities.

Construction activities typically produce 40 to 60 kilograms of waste per square metre, while renovation and repair work generates around 40 to 50 kilograms per square metre. Demolition activities are the largest contributors, with pucca (permanent) and semi-pucca structures yielding 300 to 500 kilograms of waste per square metre.  

Anuj Maheshwari, co-founder, Trace Resource, explained in April 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the  Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025, effective April 1, 2026.  These rules build on the 2016 framework but mark an epochal leap forward: India is now the first  major country to embed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) into its C&D waste mandate,  redefining accountability and environmental ambition across its construction ecosystem. 

Under the new rules, developers and contractors involved in projects exceeding 20,000 square  meters must register on the CPCB’s digital portal, submit detailed waste management plans, and  procure EPR certificates from registered recyclers. Recycling targets start at 25% in the first year and  ramp up to 100% by the fourth year, 

Kiran Dighavkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, BMC, highlighted that while discussions often focus on recycling technologies, the broader context, including pollution mitigation and urban management, must also guide decision-making. “We talk about poisonous waste,” he said, “but that’s both in terms of management, recycling, utilization… pollution impact is also something we need to mitigate.” This underscores the dual necessity of efficient waste processing and proactive measures to reduce the environmental footprint of construction activity. 

He recognised that C&D waste is not merely a logistical problem but a multidimensional issue encompassing environmental, health, and socio-economic dimensions.  

A key theme that emerged was the importance of systematic governance and data-driven decision-making. An expert noted that India lacks precise modeling and quantification of the material flows generated by construction projects. Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, Program Director, WRI India, shared an innovative approach undertaken in Germany, where photographs and machine learning were used to quantify material generation at the street level. Applying similar techniques in India could allow municipalities to map hotspots, anticipate waste volumes, and optimize recycling infrastructure. He stressed that without robust data, efforts to improve efficiency remain piecemeal, and waste continues to accumulate in public spaces or is disposed of improperly.

Raghu Ram Bejawada, Project Director, SSREC, emphasized the critical role of quality in recycling outcomes. He noted that poor segregation at the source compromises the final recycled product, reducing its usability and value. “You put one quality inside the system and you have a very bad quality coming out,” he observed. Effective C&D waste management, therefore, depends not only on the recycling plants themselves but on upstream processes, including segregated collection at construction sites and within building complexes. Advanced modeling and mindful planning are necessary to ensure that the materials collected are usable, traceable, and safe for incorporation into new construction or infrastructure projects.

The experts also explored the interplay between regulation, industry practices, and local government support. While regulatory frameworks exist, they are often underdeveloped or inconsistently enforced, creating uncertainty for developers and recyclers alike.  Keval Valambhia, COO of CREDAI MCHI, highlighted the need for policy interventions that incentivize responsible behavior rather than merely imposing penalties. Suggestions included integrating C&D recycling requirements into municipal approvals, offering buy-back mechanisms for recycled materials, and using digital platforms to monitor and track compliance. Vishal Thakkar, Partner at Prem Group and Joint Secretary of NAREDCO added that a digital “matchmaking” system could connect waste generators with nearby recycling plants, reducing transportation costs, streamlining flows, and enhancing circularity.

Maheshwari highlighted how there is an evident commitment of private developers and recycling plant operators to environmental stewardship. Thakkar emphasized, “The way they are excited about the recycling plant and the research that has been done, I think they care for the city.” This intrinsic motivation, combined with strategic investments in large-scale C&D waste processing facilities, signals a promising shift toward industry-driven solutions. Projects under development include facilities capable of processing up to 650 tonnes per day, designed to reduce dust pollution, curb illegal dumping, and provide high-quality recycled materials for local use.

Dighavkar highlighted that environmental burdens, clogged nullahs, debris-filled streets, and rising informal settlements, affect both developers and citizens alike. This shared stake fosters collaboration. Developers, he noted, are increasingly aware that improving waste management practices directly benefits the broader community. 

He recounted an interaction with a citizen who expressed willingness to support recycling initiatives not out of regulatory obligation but out of concern for air quality and urban well-being.  

Legacy and long-term planning emerged as recurring motifs. The experts argued that sustainable C&D practices should not be driven solely by fear of regulation or financial incentives. Instead, they must be embraced as part of a collective legacy for urban centers. Developers are increasingly designing projects with end-of-life considerations in mind, anticipating the future recyclability of materials and ensuring that waste streams are segregated, tracked, and reintegrated into new construction. Valambhia stressed that the motivation is often intrinsic rather than regulatory: developers seek to leave a positive urban legacy that benefits future generations.

They highlighted innovative operational strategies, such as establishing recycling plants close to urban construction hubs to reduce transportation costs and promote localized circularity. By embedding recycling infrastructure within the city’s spatial and industrial network, waste can be transformed into usable building materials, such as aggregates for roads and non-structural construction, without the need for long-distance transportation. Bejawada observed that this approach not only reduces carbon emissions but also creates a self-sustaining economic ecosystem in which recycled materials remain viable and profitable.

Digital technologies were identified as key enablers of the C&D circular economy. Kumaraswamy discussed using data to track material flows, quantify waste generation, and create real-time dashboards that inform municipal oversight and industry planning. Such platforms can facilitate compliance monitoring, improve transparency, and foster trust between private developers and regulatory authorities. By capturing accurate data on waste generation, processing, and end-use, cities can optimize their recycling infrastructure and ensure that materials remain in productive circulation rather than being discarded.

India stands at a pivotal moment for C&D waste management. The combination of regulatory evolution, private-sector engagement, citizen awareness, and technological enablement creates a fertile environment for systemic change. However, success requires coordinated action across stakeholders, clear policy mandates, and mechanisms to ensure quality, traceability, and efficient material flows. Thakkar emphasized that cities must integrate data-driven governance, localized recycling infrastructure, and stakeholder collaboration into C&D waste management strategies to ensure sustainable outcomes.