C&D waste management in India: A case study on the estimation of demolition waste generation rate

Abstract

The large scale urban developmental projects in India, due to the rapid urbanization, have stressed the need for efficient construction and demolition (C&D) waste management. Concrete and masonry are the main constituents of the C&D waste, and are often directly landfilled due to ineffective waste management programs. Another issue is the dearth of authentic data on C&D waste generation in India. Proper handling of C&D waste is essential and can be ensured only if the correct volume of waste generated is determined. The demolition activities contribute to a major share in waste generation. However, there exists an underestimation of the demolition waste generation rates (WGR) in India when compared to other countries. A case-based study on the demolition waste generated from the court ordered demolition of four framed structures in Ernakulam district of Kerala, India was utilized to estimate the demolition WGR. The truck load records from the demolition sites were collected for the estimation of WGR. From the study, it was found that the average demolition WGR was 1065.515 kg m−2. Maintaining a comprehensive database of the details of the building demolished and the associated waste transportation records at project levels can thus be adopted as a strategy to estimate waste generation rates. The estimated WGR could be used in developing accurate regional estimates of C&D waste generation, allowing for the implementation of appropriate policy interventions for ensuring proper management of the waste.