Construction and demolition (C&D) waste management is an integral part of corporate sustainability, both locally and globally. The real estate sector is one of the major contributors to global waste. Due to its operational scale, it generates large quantities of debris. This, if not disposed of correctly, can critically affect land and water and increase greenhouse gas emissions. Effective waste management can alleviate environmental risks for optimised resource utilisation, recycling and future sustainability.
See also: Key waste management companies in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai
Comprehensive waste management strategy
Environmentally conscious real estate developers acknowledged the importance of responsible C&D waste management. Ensuring that waste management strategies are a key part of the design and execution process, targets are put in place for reuse, reduce and recycle.
To ensure an effective strategy, education and empowerment of the internal workforce and external contractors about waste management techniques is key. Awareness programs are conducted to provide teams with relevant knowledge and skills to enhance sustainability and minimise waste generation at every step of the way. In addition, the sector is encouraging secure segregation of materials – a protocol that maximises the industry’s scope to recycle, reuse and divert C&D waste from landfills.
Successful waste management involves allocating defined spaces where construction waste can be segregated to prevent cross-contamination. Waste generated within premises is securely transported to government-authorised sites to meet compliance and legal environment protection standards.
Innovations in waste concrete and material utilisation
While concrete waste is an inevitable part of construction, developers are addressing the rising challenges of conventional disposal methods, such as the dire environmental impacts of hardened concrete waste.
Utilising the waste in varied manners, such as the construction of temporary pavements, closing temporary slab cut-outs with steel scraps, making landing gate arrangements and cable routing arrangements, promotes reuse. Additionally, steel scraps are sold to vendors who further recycle them for industrial purposes.
Adhering to regulations and protecting the environment
The results of improper waste disposal can be catastrophic, impacting surrounding land and water and harming animal and human life. Developers adhere to local laws and regulations along with Waste Management Rules 2022 to mitigate such risks. Multiple steps are taken during the construction process to adhere to environmental standards. This includes the optimisation of resources during construction to ensure minimal wastage at source and during operations. Additionally, systems to identify hazardous and non-hazardous waste are in place, ensuring that construction waste is segregated at a centralised facility for reuse or sale to responsible third-party recyclers.
Another critical strategy is to ensure that any waste is stored in compliance with legal requirements, marking sites with sufficient signages, fire protection and training of personnel handling the waste. Responsible developers continue to set sustainability benchmarks by ensuring that projects are built with the highest standards of quality and environmental considerations. These steps showcase that quality and luxury do not need to be sacrificed to integrate sustainable practices. Instead, it can enhance audience interest and demonstrate a commitment to the future.
Beyond regulatory requirements, managing construction waste is a moral imperative. When responsible initiatives are implemented, they serve as a model for the rest of the industry to follow, demonstrating that effective planning and management can enhance a project’s appeal in a responsible ecosystem.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
With a career spanning over 28 years, an alumnus of Harvard Business School and having completed engineering from MS University, Baroda, Raman is amongst the top executive talents in the Indian real estate industry today. He is currently associated with K Raheja Corp in the capacity of Director – Design and Engineering and oversees the function for assets across the group businesses i.e. commercial, residential, hotels and malls. With expertise ranging from structural designing to on-site construction. At K Raheja Corp, he drives the teams to ensure sustainability is woven into each project from the group.
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