Construction and demolition waste is a significant component of the solid waste stream in India. It comprises debris generated during construction, renovation, or demolition of buildings, roads, bridges, etc. In major cities, it constitutes 10 – 15% volume of total municipal solid waste. The main sources of C&D waste are building materials left over from construction, renovation, or repair work. It includes timber, concrete, bricks, asphalt, metals, and other materials.
The Benefits of Recycling
The biggest benefit of recycling is that it reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfills. This means that less space is need for trash disposal and it also decreases the need for incineration which can be harmful to our environment.
- It also reduces air pollution because it helps keep construction and demolition debris out of landfills
- where these substances can emit greenhouse gases such as methane when they decompose over time.
- Recycling helps conserve natural resources because less new material needs to be produced which saves on energy consumption during manufacturing processes as well as transportation costs for delivering raw materials from
Examples of Construction & Demolition Waste
C&D materials are wide-ranging depending on the project and can consist of any or all of the following:
- Bricks and masonry
- Concrete
- Wood
- Metal, including piping
- Plaster and drywall
- Glass and windows
- Debris from large projects (e.g., asphalt, rubble, tile, etc.)
- Landscape waste
Impact of Construction & Demolition Recycling
Construction & demolition recycling has a positive impact on the environment. The C&D recycling process reduces waste and saves natural resources by reusing materials that would otherwise dispose of as trash.
Recycling helps preserve the Earth’s limited resources by reducing the need to produce new products from raw materials like wood, rock, sand, and gravel.
Recycling also saves energy, which is required to transform these raw materials into finished products. The reduction in landfill waste prevents methane gas emissions from decaying organic matter in landfills, which are 23x more potent than CO2. Construction and demolition can account for up to 40% of landfill waste. The construction and demolition industry is the largest producer of waste in the world.
Most common impact on the environment from construction waste
The most common impact on the environment from construction waste is pollution. Pollution occurs when chemicals that are present in these materials leak into the ground or air, contaminating them and causing damage to local wildlife. This type of pollution can also harm people who work near the site of construction or demolition, as well as those living in areas where it occurs.
Pollution caused by construction and demolition waste is not only limited to chemicals that are present in these materials. It also includes heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, which leech into water supplies over time and cause serious health problems for humans who drink contaminated water or eat contaminated food grown on land polluted with these metals.
Another negative effect of improper disposal is soil erosion, which causes topsoil to be washed away by rainwater runoff from nearby buildings or roadways into streams or rivers downstream. These waterways carry sediment downstream with them until they reach their destination lake, ocean bay estuary etc.
Benefits for Business practices
Recycling construction and demolition materials are not only good for the environment—but there are also many benefits for your company when you incorporate recycling into your business practices:
- Diversion from landfills
- Reduced disposal costs
- Employee awareness & retention rates
- Capacity for new revenue streams
How to get authorization for Construction & Demolition Recycling in India
Getting a construction and demolition authorization is simple, but it is not easy. There are certain things you will need to consider before you start the process. There are some amendments that must be made to your building plans before you apply for the authorization. First, you need to make sure that your building site has no toxic or hazardous materials on it.
This includes any chemicals that are use in the construction process. The next step is to check with the local authorities about any zoning regulations in your area. It will important to know if you can use the site for construction and demolition recycling as well as what type of building materials can use.
If these regulations are not clear to you, then you should hire an architect or engineer who has experience in this field. Once you have determined that everything is ready for your new building. it is time to get authorization from your city or county government. You will have to submit the necessary paperwork and evidence that prove that your new project meets all of their requirements. This includes a plan of action and proof of business insurance.
How much construction waste is produces in India?
According to the Building Material Promotion Council, the country generates an estimated 150 million tonnes of C&D waste each year.
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