Sustainable Handling of Construction and Demolition (C & D) Waste

Abstract

Development as a standalone feature has got no status, unless it is sustainable. Development may include active actions in various sectors like medical field, information technology, education etc. But, one field that is an inherent part of all is the construction sector. With the development of society and for the development of society at all fronts, construction activities are seen everywhere. Along with the construction activities, the demolitions of existing structures, which have either outlived their service life or otherwise needing replacement, have to be demolished. It is estimated that the construction industry in India generates about 10-12 million T of waste annually. The waste generation in Delhi itself is estimated to be around 5000 T per day. Thus a need is there to find solution for its sustainable disposable. Dumping of C&D waste is not only unauthorized, but also anti-environmental. It is a huge challenge to the mankind to find sustainable solutions for safe and secure reuse or recycling, so that nothing is required to be disposed or say dumping in an unauthorized manner. There is also a huge demand for natural aggregates in the construction sector with a significant gap in its demand and supply, which can also be reduced marginally by the recycling of construction and demolition waste. Proper handling, storage and treatment of C&D waste not only prevent degradation of Mother Earth, but also have significant impact on sustainability by way of reducing the use of natural resources. The paper covers various issues related to the reusing and recycling of C&D waste, required regulatory mechanism and procedures to be followed for achieving the aim with an ulterior motive of Environmental sustainability.