EPR in Construction and Demolition of Waste

Extended Producer Responsibility for construction and demolition waste obligates companies to make or sell building materials with responsibility for waste management in the course of demolitions or renovations of buildings. That is, the companies will have to recycle their products instead of dumping everything together in a garbage heap. Such a measure leads to the minimization of the amount of garbage in landfills and to responsible use of materials.

EPR encourages constructors to think how their products shall be used in the future and how they will dispose of them. Through this, it helps conserve the environment while encouraging recycling. This makes construction a bit more sustainable and responsible. It calls for a clean planet and responsible usage of one's resources.

Who needs EPR Certification for Construction and Demolition Waste? 

• Construction enterprises: Construction enterprises require an EPR certificate. They have to be accountable for the materials used and see to it that it is properly recycled or disposed of.
• Manufacturers of building products: Manufacturers need to adopt EPR. Manufacturers have to design products with longer life spans and recyclable, so most of the trash associated with their products is minimized.
• Waste management companies: Waste management companies play a vital role in EPR. They ensure that construction waste is collected and processed, with the help of EPR regulations.
• Building owners and developers: The building owners and developers must know EPR in order to decide about their project. They have to think at the end of their life how the materials would be managed.

EPR for construction and demolition waste management authorization is very beneficial for many things which include:

• Lesser quantity of waste in landfills: EPR aids in reducing construction and demolition wastes in landfills. Builders manage their waste properly and come up with ways of recycling and reusing materials in better ways, which results in fewer piles of trash and a relatively clean environment.
• More recycling: A greater focus by EPR exists on recycling building materials from former buildings. Then, more pieces are recycled as opposed to sending them to landfill. It encourages the generation of new products with old materials from the earth's surface.
• Encourages better design: EPR forces builders to think about designing their buildings properly. When the builders know they are going to be responsible for the waste later, then they will take pains to use only materials that have easier recycling value or last longer. This enhances making buildings with good environmental considerations.
• Saves money: Construction companies can save through recycling and reusing materials. They spend less money purchasing these materials, and sometimes even earn money by selling recycled products. Thus, EPR is not just good for the earth but smart for business as well.
• Creates jobs: EPR may also create jobs through recycling and waste management. Since more materials will be recycled, it will be required to sort and process them. It means creating job opportunities in the community, which is good for everybody.

• Collect and sort waste: Waste generators should gather and separate wastes of different natures. That is, wastes like concrete, soil, bricks, steel, wood, and plastics should be sorted into different cans. Sorting promotes recycling and reuse of these materials more effectively.
• Store waste properly: After collecting the waste, it must be stored in a safe place until it is recycled. It can be processed on-site or sent to another place for further processing. Storing waste in a proper place prevents pollution and keeps the surrounding area clean.
• Transport waste responsibly: Transport all the generated waste to specific collection points or storage facilities. It is prudent to ensure 100% transport of the wastes to the proper places or disposal to authorized recycling agencies.
• Control pollution and nuisance: In the processes of collecting, sorting, and storing waste, generators should avoid littering and air pollution to ensure that the environment is kept clean and that public disturbance is reduced.
• Comply with regulations: Waste generators are obligated to comply with all regulations made by local authorities and environmental agencies. This means registering on platforms that are deemed necessary and adhering to safety codes for handling waste, making sure that all activities are within legal guidelines.

Waste management entails the storage and processing of waste in a safe manner to ensure the environment is free from the risk of disease and other harmful conditions. Local authorities should set up collection points for gathering waste from homes and businesses. In the event that there is no functioning processing facility or the existing one is too full, then an intermediate storage place must be created. The temporary storage may last for 120 days but can be extended to 180 days with permission.

Before setting up any new waste processing or storage facility, registration on a government portal is mandatory. Each facility needs to be operated as per directions given by pollution control boards to ensure that no problems arise from their storage and processing, such as bad smells or air pollution. For non-compliance, the facility faces penalties, including fines that are designed to punish wrongdoing of this nature.

Utilization of Processed Waste in EPR for Construction and Demolition Waste

A new regulation has been enacted on the use of treated waste in construction works measuring 20,000 square meters and above and on roads. The builders have to register online and use a certain percentage of recycled materials from waste like bricks and concrete. Local authorities would ensure that such a rule is carried out, while the Central Pollution Control Board checks on road projects that are managed by non-local governments. 

Builders will require a waste utilization plan as a part of their approval for the projects. They need to use percentages of recycled material instead of newly purchased ones. However, in this regard, wood and metals are not involved. If the builders wish to be exempted from such regulations, they need to get permission from the local authorities or pollution control boards.

Some main documents required for this authorization include:

• PAN, GST, CIN
• IEC (for importer) of the Company
• Aadhaar / PAN of Authorized person
• Process flow diagrams (for producers & PWPs only)
• Consent issued by SPCB/PCC
• Scanned copy of signatures of authorized persons

• Gather information

First, important facts about the project, such as construction or demolition, need to be gathered. This will cover the nature of the work to be done, the size of the project, and the amount of waste produced. This enables one to outline how to ensure proper management of the waste.

• Develop a waste management plan

The next step involves creating a waste management plan explaining how the waste should be dealt with. It should explain what steps should be taken to collect, sort, store, transport, and dispose of the waste. This approach should aim to recycle and reuse materials as much as possible. A good plan makes it easy to manage waste and protect the environment.

• Submit the application

Finally, fill out the application form from the website of the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee. After filling out the form, pay the required processing fees if any. Upon submission, an inspection will be arranged to ensure everything is as written in the application. The inspectors will check how waste is being managed and if safety measures are in place.

Corpseed assists with EPR for Construction and Demolition Waste Management in following the rules as smoothly as possible. We tell you how to collect, recycle, and safely eliminate waste. It keeps the environment clean and allows proper management of waste. Corpseed assists companies to get all necessary permissions and act according to law.