Construction and Demolition Waste Authorization

Construction works are constantly going on in India. It is a developing country and every year significant renovations and new construction projects are undertaken by the government and private entities. To start some projects, existing construction works are often demolished and the waste caused by such demolition as well as the waste generated in the construction process is called the Construction and Demolition Waste for which you need to get Construction and Demolition Waste Management Authorisation. These activities add up to the solid waste generation and cause pollution hence the CPCB has recommended guidelines to be implemented while undertaking construction and demolition activities. You must follow these procedures if you are in the construction business or setting up your unit like a recycling plant, manufacturing plant, multipurpose building, or new office space.

Construction and Demolition Waste Generation

The debris collected during demolition, construction, and renovation of buildings is referred to as Construction and Demolition Waste. This type of waste is found in bulk mostly as the buildings include these materials in high amounts such as concrete, brick, wood, metals, glass, and salvaged building components. This waste contains a mixture of mineral and non-mineral materials. Recycling is the best policy for this Construction and Demolition Waste Management as it can be reused in new projects. Before the management of Construction and Demolition Waste, you need to make an appropriate plan and get the Registration from CPCB by submitting the relevant documents.

The construction sector bears significant responsibility for a substantial portion of India's solid waste generation. The components within construction waste are usually large and weighty, rendering them unsuitable for disposal in a landfill with restricted capacity. The expenses tied to their disposal can be exorbitant, primarily due to the substantial costs involved in transporting and removing the debris. Furthermore, transporting these waste materials over extensive distances to a landfill site, which might be hundreds of miles away, is environmentally detrimental.

There are many benefits of construction and demolition waste authorisation as it fulfils the compliance requirement and proper processing of the waste economically helps in cutting costs of construction projects. Some of the major benefits include-

• Reducing your expenses: By managing their C&D Waste in accordance with waste management rules, businesses can reuse the materials and reduce the cost of new projects.
• Reducing demand for new materials: Opting for recycling and repurposing can help diminish the need for new resources, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible approach.
• Improving local sustainability, mainly if you use a local waste management company: Collaborating with local waste management services not only promotes regional economic growth but also bolsters eco-friendly practices. It fosters a greener and more resilient community.
• Dismantling or deconstruction of buildings, structures, or other works: Thoughtful deconstruction techniques enable the salvaging of valuable materials, minimizing waste and making strides toward a circular economy.
• Excavating earth materials including dredging activities: Responsible excavation, coupled with appropriate dredging practices, ensures the extraction of earth materials without causing undue harm.
• Unloading ships carrying earth materials such as sand, soil, or gravel: Efficient unloading processes for vessels transporting earth materials are crucial to maintaining supply chains for construction and development. It minimises logistical complexities and delays.

There are many different types of waste generated from construction and demolition which can be categorised into two heads- major and minor based on their proportion per unit waste. These types of waste are as follows-

Major Components

• Cement Concrete
• Bricks 
• Cement Plaster
• Steel (RCC, Door, Window Frames, Roofing Support, Railings of the Staircase, etc.)
• Rubble
• Stone (Marble, Granite, Sandstone)
• Timber or Wood (Especially Demolition of Old Buildings)

Minor Components

• Conduits (Iron, Plastic)
• Pipes (GI, Iron, Plastic)
• Electrical Fixtures

1. Copper Wiring
2. Aluminium Wiring
3. Wooden Baton
4. Bakelite Switches
5. Plastic Switches
6. Wire Insulation

• Panels (Wooden, Laminated)
• Glazed Tiles
• Glass Panes

You need to apply for the construction and demolition waste management authorisation along with the following documents-

• Copy of Consent to Establish (CTE) from the State Pollution Control Board
• Application for obtaining Authorization in Form-I
• Flow Chart and a Brief Description of the Process
• Project Report
• Copy of Agreement with Concerned Local Bodies with Operator along with Proof of Land Use

The waste generated in the construction process and restored from demolition can be processed using the following steps-

• Storage

Before the processing, the waste needs to be stored somewhere and best practices need to be used for the same. You should efficiently manage these wastes by storing them on-site to prevent scattering and traffic disruptions. You can implement key measures like on-site waste containment, segregation using screens, categorizing for reuse, separating of materials, transporting efficiently, repurposing vehicles, planning waste storage for major projects, and coordinating post-repair debris removal for comprehensive waste management.

• Collection and Transportation

Efficiently removing construction debris from skips requires skip lifters with hydraulic systems, while tractors can move trailers. Larger quantities might need front-end loaders and robust tipper trucks. Smaller debris generators can choose between local authority dumping sites or paid removal. Manual handling can apply in towns without proper equipment. In areas without a consolidated waste management department, coordinating between the Sanitary, Engineering, and Town Planning Departments is vital for effective waste management.

• Recycling and Reuse

Effective utilization of these materials relies on their separation and condition. They are durable and have the potential to use. However, setting quality standards for recycled materials is advisable. Construction and demolition waste can be managed through strategies like on-site reuse of various materials, selling or auctioning unsuitable items, directing recyclables, using debris for levelling and undercoating, employing waste for filling low-lying areas, and utilising finer materials for landfill cover. In populous areas, temporary storage sites with size grading and periodic sales could manage significant waste from construction and development. Sites situated near municipal borders could minimize pollution, utilizing the inert nature of waste and reducing dust and noise during handling.

• Disposal

Construction and demolition waste is non-reactive in nature eliminating chemical pollution risks, emphasizing the need for reuse and recycling. This material is useful for filling and levelling low-lying areas. In developed countries, inert waste is managed in specialized landfills within abandoned mines and quarries; this approach could be considered in our nation, especially in cities near active quarries. However, evaluating the material's characteristics is crucial to gauge its appropriateness in specific situations.

Duties of Construction & Demolition Waste Generators

The Construction and Demolition Waste Generators should follow the below-given duties prescribed by the C&D Waste Management Rules-

• Construction and Demolition Waste Management has to be performed by the Waste generators by proper collection, segregation, and storage as directed by local authorities in accordance with these regulations.
• Ensuring that no other waste, such as solid waste, is mixed with this designated waste and that it is stored and disposed of separately is the responsibility of the generator.
• Generators with 20+ tons daily or 300+ tons per project monthly must categorize waste (concrete, soil, steel, wood, plastics, bricks, mortar etc.), submit a waste plan, secure local authority approval before starting construction, demolition, or remodelling, and maintain project-specific communication throughout.
• Construction and demolition waste should be kept within the premises, deposited at designated collection centres established by local bodies, or handed over to authorized processing facilities to prevent littering, obstruction of traffic, or drainage.
• Generators pay fees for waste management as set by authorities. Those producing 20+ tons daily or 300+ tons per project monthly also cover processing and disposal in addition to storage and transportation charges, with rates established by local or State Government.

Construction and demolition waste authorisation is to be given as per the waste management rules and the waste should be collected, transported, immediately stored (if necessary), utilized, and disposed of through a proper institutional mechanism. The Sanitary Department or the Health Department is in charge of municipal garbage in some municipalities, whereas the Engineering or Planning Department is in charge of building and demolition waste. In such cases, it is critical that either the Solid Waste Management Department be allocated to the collection of construction and demolition waste, or that these departments collaborate closely.

Information for Processing and Recycling Facilities

The facility's operator must obtain permission from the State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control Committee. The processing and recycling facility must be located away from residential clusters, forest areas, water bodies, monuments, National Parks, Wetlands, and other cultural, historical, or religiously essential locations.

Our team at Corpseed is continuously working to assist businesses in their compliance management and acquiring the registrations and authorisations as required. We provide the best consultation to our clients through desk-based research, documentation and coordination. Our team has extensive knowledge and experience of the laws applicable in India. We can provide you with the requisite guidance regarding Construction and Demolition Waste Authorisation in India and assist you in obtaining the same. We serve as a one-stop solution for all your business needs.