Growing Challenge of Construction and Demolition (C&D) Wastes
As a developing nation, India's leading cities today are witnessing heavy duty development and construction projects of varying scales and sizes.
Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste is a 100% recyclable solid wastes and is a result of building and construction activities. For every square meter, an estimated 300-500 Kg of waste is generated due to demolition work while 50 Kg of waste can result due to construction activity.
Demolition waste presents a grave threat to ageing cities (such as Mumbai etc.) where redevelopment projects are often located in high population density areas within the cities.
Dust from demolition and construction sites is a public health crisis as these dust particulates contain cement, asbestos, fly ash, and silica. Once inhaled, these particles can get into the bloodstream and cause long-term health problems. Covering the face is the usual suggested solution to avoid exposure if one happens to come across such demolition sites.
Human health and environment are intricately linked and so illegal dumping of C&D waste poses a grave risk to the fine balance between the nature and built environment.
Safe and sustainable disposal of C&D waste is essential to ensure that toxic materials that the waste may contain don't have negative repercussion on public health, in particular our families and local communities.
Segregation at source of C&D waste is important.
Segregation at illegal dumping sites often raises the possibility of post segregation selling of items such as steel bars, cement gunny bags, plumbing fixtures, electrical wiring, steel pipes, aluminum, copper and brass etc. Our water, land, topsoil,air are getting contaminated because of the illegal dumping of C&D waste and could be an important contributor to an increase in air pollution.
Task of segregating the C&D waste at source gets complicated due to the volume and pricing of C&D waste.
Often its found that it is economical to dump and pay the fines than to transport thousands of tonnes of C&D waste to a recycling unit. Thus even with a comprehensive C&D waste management policy, there could be a lack of last-mile implementation. Problem with pricing is that no credible data is available. If you donot know how much is generated and how much it should be priced, how one can design an effective system around it? One can end up paying high prices if one does actually segregate waste at the source.
Payment of GST on total cost, which includes fuel for transport of C&D waste, for which on input tax credit may not be available are some of the additional problems. Thus the system in fact penalises the waste management and giving rise to illegal dumping.
One looks for extracting value from C&D waste. Segregation where it is generated is critical - if co-mingled,it is difficult for the hauler to get any value from the C&D waste. more
Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste is a 100% recyclable solid wastes and is a result of building and construction activities. For every square meter, an estimated 300-500 Kg of waste is generated due to demolition work while 50 Kg of waste can result due to construction activity.
Demolition waste presents a grave threat to ageing cities (such as Mumbai etc.) where redevelopment projects are often located in high population density areas within the cities.
Dust from demolition and construction sites is a public health crisis as these dust particulates contain cement, asbestos, fly ash, and silica. Once inhaled, these particles can get into the bloodstream and cause long-term health problems. Covering the face is the usual suggested solution to avoid exposure if one happens to come across such demolition sites.
Human health and environment are intricately linked and so illegal dumping of C&D waste poses a grave risk to the fine balance between the nature and built environment.
Safe and sustainable disposal of C&D waste is essential to ensure that toxic materials that the waste may contain don't have negative repercussion on public health, in particular our families and local communities.
Segregation at source of C&D waste is important.
Segregation at illegal dumping sites often raises the possibility of post segregation selling of items such as steel bars, cement gunny bags, plumbing fixtures, electrical wiring, steel pipes, aluminum, copper and brass etc. Our water, land, topsoil,air are getting contaminated because of the illegal dumping of C&D waste and could be an important contributor to an increase in air pollution.
Task of segregating the C&D waste at source gets complicated due to the volume and pricing of C&D waste.
Often its found that it is economical to dump and pay the fines than to transport thousands of tonnes of C&D waste to a recycling unit. Thus even with a comprehensive C&D waste management policy, there could be a lack of last-mile implementation. Problem with pricing is that no credible data is available. If you donot know how much is generated and how much it should be priced, how one can design an effective system around it? One can end up paying high prices if one does actually segregate waste at the source.
Payment of GST on total cost, which includes fuel for transport of C&D waste, for which on input tax credit may not be available are some of the additional problems. Thus the system in fact penalises the waste management and giving rise to illegal dumping.
One looks for extracting value from C&D waste. Segregation where it is generated is critical - if co-mingled,it is difficult for the hauler to get any value from the C&D waste. more
Viewed by 65
Good information but will it be implemented with with builders and State authorities hand in glove to dump the waste as it is more
Jan 21
Also, high time for Indian manufacturers to finally get away from the "katcha red bricks" on to better, sound and heat/cold insulating bricks. Don't they ever think of investing in new technologies? more
Jan 20
A good authentic feedback for consideration of all the State Governments with a direction from the Centre. It is not simply the case of improving air quality, but also re-developkment or development of old cities as mentioned in the posting. more
Jan 20
