Construction and demolition activities generate large amounts of waste, which can harm the environment if not managed properly. To address this issue, the Government of India has enacted the Environmental (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025. These regulations aim to ensure that construction and demolition (C&D) waste is managed in an environmentally friendly way, minimizing pollution and maximizing recycling and reuse. The regulations cover a wide range of aspects including waste segregation, collection, processing, utilization and responsibilities of stakeholders involved in C&D waste management.

What is the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025?

The Environmental (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025 are rules that replace the earlier Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016. These rules will come into effect on April 1, 2026. These regulations have been updated to address emerging challenges in waste management, incorporate circular economy principles, and promote sustainability in the construction sector. They focus on reducing the environmental impact of C&D waste by promoting recycling and proper disposal, setting targets for waste utilization, and establishing compliance frameworks that involve all stakeholders in the waste management process.

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Objectives of Environmental (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Regulations, 2025

The primary objectives of the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025 are:

• Environmentally sound management of C&D waste through segregation, collection, recycling, treatment and disposal.
• Reduction of pollution caused by improper disposal and illegal dumping of C&D waste.
• Promotion of circular economy principles by encouraging the recycling and reuse of materials from construction and demolition activities.
• Set clear targets for waste management and use of processed waste in construction and road projects.
• Ensure compliance by establishing a system of monitoring, reporting and penalties for non-compliance.

Key Components of Environmental C&D Waste Management Regulations, 2025

The key components includes:

Applicability: These rules shall apply to all activities involving the construction, demolition, reconstruction, renovation and repair of any structure. These regulations shall not apply to waste categories or streams including:

• The Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962) and the rules made thereunder
• The defence projects, and other projects of a strategic nature
• The Waste generated due to natural disasters or by the act of war, and
• Waste covered in any other sector specific waste management rules.

Definitions: Key terms defined in the rules include:

• “Act” means the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986),
• “authorised agency” means an agency authorised by the local authority either for collection or transportation or both of construction and demolition waste,
• “built up area” will shall have the same meaning as used for the purpose of Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 ,
• “Central Board” means the Central Pollution Control Board established under section 3 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974),
• “collection points” means designated places in the jurisdiction of the local authority where waste generators, other than producers, are required to deposit their construction and demolition waste to facilitate its management in an environmentally sound manner,
• “construction” means the process of erecting, altering, repairing, renovating or remodelling of a structure, building, infrastructure and utility projects , like, residential and office complexes, roads, highways, industrial complexes, railways, airports, ports, harbours, laying of pipeline for water, wastewater, gas, crude oil, optical fibre cable, electric cable, telecom cable, and such other projects,
• “construction and demolition waste” means the waste generated due to construction, demolition, remodelling, renovation, repair, and maintenance activities, and comprises of soil, sand and gravel, bricks and masonry, concrete, metal, wood, plastic, ceramic and such other items,
• “contractor” means a person engaged to undertake construction or demolition, or to provide services to facilitate collection, storage, and dispatch of waste to a processing facility or intermediate waste storage facility or collection points, on commercial basis,
• “demolition” means dismantling, razing, destroying or wrecking of a building or structure or any part thereof by any means,
• “development authority” means an agency that implements town planning schemes, area development plans, building laws, and responsible for development of an urban area, regulates incidental civil operations like construction, engineering, demolition, including utility services and amenities,
• “extended producer responsibility” means the responsibility of a producer to manage construction and demolition waste and to meet recycling targets as per First Schedule to ensure its environmentally sound management, 
• “guidelines” means a document prepared and issued by the Central Pollution Control Board elaborating minimum requirements, specific measures and procedures for achieving environmentally sound management of construction and demolition waste including its handling, collection, transportation, storage and processing,
• “intermediate waste storage facility” means a place in the jurisdiction of the local authority, operated by the authority or an authorised operator, where construction and demolition waste can be stored to facilitate its management in an environmentally sound manner,
• “legacy waste” means the orphan and untreated construction and demolition waste lying in the jurisdiction of the local authority on the date of commencement of these rules,
• “local authority” means an agency entrusted to discharge functions related to sanitation, covering management of construction and demolition waste, and includes a municipality, panchayat, cantonment board, and notified area committee,
• “online portal” means a centralised online portal establish by the Central Board for the purposes of implementation and monitoring of extended producer responsibility targets and utilisation of waste, and to act as single point data repository on construction and demolition waste,
• “producer” means a waste generator, who is occupier or in charge of a building or building complex project having a built-up area of 20000 square meters and above,
• “re-construction” means all construction activities covering erection, remodelling, repair and renovation, preceded by demolition of an existing structure.

Management of Construction and Demolition Waste: The rules focus on the following aspects:

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers must take responsibility for the entire life cycle of waste generated by their activities. They must meet specific targets for recycling, and compliance will be monitored through an online portal.
• Waste Management Plans: Producers are required to submit detailed waste management plans, including estimates of waste generated and methods for its disposal and recycling.
• Waste Processing and Certification: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will issue EPR certificates to recyclers on the basis of the volume of waste processed. These certificates are valid for three years and can be traded.

Utilization of Processed Waste: Processed C&D waste must be used in construction projects (with a built-up area of 20,000 square meters or more) and road construction projects, as per the targets mentioned in the Second and Third Schedules. Only certain types of waste, such as cement concrete, bricks, and tiles, are suitable for use in these projects. Recyclers must ensure that the waste processed meets the required quality standards.

Waste Storage and Processing Requirements: Local authorities must establish waste collection points and ensure proper transfer to processing or intermediate storage facilities. Intermediate storage is allowed for up to 120 days, extendable to 180 days with prior approval. Facilities are required to follow the Central Board’s guidelines for implementing measures to prevent environmentally friendly waste management, public nuisance, air and water pollution, and improper waste disposal.

Miscellaneous: Local authorities will have to submit annual waste management report to the state board by April 30, which will be sent to the Union Board and Ministry of Environment by June 30. Registered entities will have to upload waste handling data by May 15. Incidents during operation must be reported within 24 hours. The central board audits compliance, imposing penalties for violations.

Responsibility of Stakeholders

Under the new rules, different stakeholders have specific roles and responsibilities:

• Waste Generators and Producers: Waste must be properly segregated, stored and transported and a waste management plan must be submitted.
• Contractors and Service Providers: Help achieve waste collection, recycling and EPR goals.
• Recyclers: Ensure environmentally sound recycling practices and adhere to quality standards.
• Government Bodies: responsible for promoting the use of processed waste in construction projects and ensuring compliance.
• Pollution Control Authority: Monitors the implementation of regulations and enforces regulations.

Environmental Compensation

The compensation under the Environmental (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Regulations, 2025 are:

• Environmental Compensation Liability: Producers, waste facility operators, recyclers, and project occupiers who fail to comply with construction and demolition waste disposal/recycling regulations may face environmental compensation to cover environmental or public health damages.
• Opportunity to be Heard: Environmental compensation cannot be imposed without giving the entity an opportunity to present its case.
• Central Board Authority: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is responsible for implementing environmental compensation under applicable regulations.
• Carrying Forward Unmet EPR Obligations: If extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations are not met, producers must carry forward shortfalls for three years.
• Refunds on Compliance: Partial refunds of environmental compensation are available to meet EPR obligations:

1. 1 year: 85% refund
2. 2 years: 60% refund
3. 3 years: 30% refund
4. After 3 years: No refund

• Consequences of False Information: False information leading to over-generation of EPR certificates may result in cancellation of registration and forfeiture of compensation.
• Permanent Registration Cancellation: Repeated misinformation (3 offenses) results in permanent registration cancellation.
• Utilization of Funds: Environmental compensation funds support waste management initiatives, including recycling, research and local body support, as determined by a steering committee.

The First Schedule

EPR Targets for Recycling of Waste

The Second Schedule

Minimum Targets for Utilisation of Waste in Construction

The Third Schedule

Minimum Targets for Utilisation of Waste in Road Construction

Conclusion

The Environmental (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025 aim to address the growing challenge of managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste in an environmental friendly manner. These updated regulations emphasize waste segregation, recycling, and reuse and focus on the principles of a circular economy to reduce environmental impact. Key components include extended producer responsibility (EPR), waste management plans, and usage targets for waste processed in construction and road projects. The rules also set penalties for non-compliance, promote transparency through online reporting, and implement environmental compensation for those who fail to meet waste management obligations. With a phased approach to recycling and waste utilization, these regulations are designed to promote sustainability and ensure the construction sector’s contribution to environmental protection.