Recycling and Repurposing of Construction and Demolition Waste

June 20, 2023

India is making significant strides in managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste through effective recycling and repurposing initiatives. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recently announced that half of the country’s C&D waste is being successfully recycled and repurposed.

Delhi Leading the Way

Delhi, the capital city of India, has emerged as a frontrunner in C&D waste management with a remarkable 100% recycling and reusing rate. The city’s dedication to sustainable practices has set a commendable example for others to follow.

Daily C&D Waste Production

The estimated daily production of C&D waste in the country is a staggering 30,000 tonnes. Recognizing the urgency to address this issue, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has included it as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), a nationwide cleanliness campaign.

Impressive Number of C&D Waste Facilities

Across the country, there are 400 C&D waste facilities that play a crucial role in processing approximately 15,000 tonnes of waste daily. This translates to effectively transforming half of the total C&D waste generated into reusable materials. It is worth noting that C&D waste constitutes around 90% of the recyclable waste generated in India.

Integration of Swachh Bharat Mission and National Clean Air Program

To enhance waste management efforts, the integration of the Swachh Bharat Mission with the National Clean Air Program has proven beneficial. This collaborative program covers 131 non-attainment cities and 21 cities with a population exceeding 500,000. As a result, 152 cities have received additional central assistance to support C&D waste management initiatives.

Action Plans and Processing Facilities

A significant step forward has been the approval of action plans for setting up C&D Waste Processing Plants in 99 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the country. Additionally, plans for establishing C&D waste processing facilities have been sanctioned for 116 ULBs, with a combined capacity of 7,063.23 tonnes per day. This demonstrates a comprehensive approach to waste management.

Promoting Reusable Products

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, all states actively participate in the production of reusable products at C&D waste plants. The segregation process at these waste plants involves categorizing the waste into fine soil, mixed concrete, and stones using automated machines and stringent safety measures. The segregated materials are then combined with cement to create various reusable products, including milano paver tiles, zig-zag tiles, dumbbell tiles, and more.

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