A change in perspective towards the matter of waste could easily be turned into a recycling opportunity for a sustainable future
Waste is a subject of growing concern globally. According to a World Bank report, in the year 2020,
a total of 2.24 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste was generated. The report also estimates by 2100, waste generation in the world will peak at 11 million tonnes daily. Such predicted trajectories of waste growth are liable to have substantial implications for the environment as well as the health, well-being, and prosperity of the human race.
Economic growth and urbanization are natural drivers of waste generation. Countries across the globe, especially the global South, are experiencing urbanization at an unprecedented pace and scale. India is the second-largest urban community in the world. By 2050, we will add about 416 million people to our cities. New Delhi will overtake Tokyo as the world’s most populous city, and Hyderabad and Ahmedabad will join Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai as mega-cities.
In the process of urbanization and city-making, a lot of material resources are consumed. The process also generates considerable waste, generally led by the manufacturing and construction sectors. Therefore, in the context of cities, waste generation must be understood both as an individual as well as an institutional problem – not only due to individuals living in cities, but also as a result of the process of creating and building cities.
Indian cities are going to experience waste generation at an unparalleled pace in the near future. Waste management preparedness, however, is worrisome. Currently, more than 70% of the waste generated in the country is openly dumped or carelessly burnt. Such poor management of waste is a cause of concern due to its impact on the climate, quality of air, water, and other natural resources.
Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste is waste comprising building materials, debris and rubble resulting from the construction, re-modelling, repair and demolition of any civil structure. 150 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste is generated in India every year. However, only 1% of it is sustainably recycled. The remaining is disposed off on roadsides, vacant sites, lakes, rivers, or stormwater drains. Effectively managing C&D waste is a challenge due to a variety of reasons, such as poor source separation, low demand for recycled C&D waste material, illegal dumping, landfill crises, and inadequate waste regulations.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has defined Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules for enforcement across the country. These rules are further implemented and enforced by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in conjunction with city-level terms and conditions. The country has also laid down standards and certifications to encourage the reuse of construction material waste. Despite these regulations, the management of C&D waste remains ineffective, along with a poor understanding of effective techniques to manage such waste.
Another challenge in C&D waste management is lack of reliable data. From academics to government and non-government research institutes, various studies have tried to estimate the amount of construction and demolition waste generated in the country, at different times. A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment throws light on the fact that all these estimates, if anything, vary highly from each other and may be underestimating the magnitude of the problem. They also do not necessarily relate to the pattern of city-making we are witnessing, which is more concentrated high-rise buildings, rather than low-rise individual homes. In addition to variability in the quantum of waste estimates, the constituents identified of C&D waste are also generally limited.
Addressing the challenges of Construction Waste (CW) management in India requires both incentive and disincentive mechanisms that can encourage the entire ecosystem to re-look at established processes, innovate and evolve. CW management plans need to be developed as win-win scenarios for cities, real estate developers and contractors.
Developers can set up systems and processes to manage construction waste at their sites by following the actionable steps outlined below:
a. Set up an Aspect-Impact Register for each stage of construction by adopting a risk assessment and management approach
b. Institute a Construction Waste Management Plan – listing stage-wise requirements for both internal teams and external partners
c. Build Awareness and Capacities of all teams to harness the collective potential of internal teams and external partners
CEO Vikhroli | Chief CSR & Sustainability Officer,
Godrej Properties Ltd.
d. Update the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) to include the Waste Management mandate to provide a clear contractual framework for all parties.
Developers can also benefit from adopting workable Operating Models for Construction Waste Management basis their internal organization structures, scale of operations and growth plans.
A change in perspective towards the matter of waste could easily be turned into a recycling opportunity for a sustainable future. As responsible developers, we believe that waste matters and the sector will benefit from acknowledging the criticality of integrating waste management as a core part of operations and upholding higher standards of carbon neutrality. Together we can chart a roadmap for zero waste to landfill within the construction sector in India.
