Solid Waste Management in the Construction Sector: A Prerequisite for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The Indian construction industry contributes nearly 5% - 6% to the Nation’s GDP and is one of the largest in the world economy. The building and construction sector is one of the essential industries contributing highly towards environmental impacts. Balancing development at all stages with environmental protection is the prime aim of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The construction sector paves the way for greater economic development in a country and thus has an obligation to protect the environment against degradation. A few of the notable SDG’s relating to the construction and building sectors concerning the environment and climate change issues are SDG 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG7- Affordable and Clean Energy. Solid waste management is very crucial as the solid waste from construction sites highly degrade the environment. Using of green resources of constructing buildings may reduce the energy efficiency and after construction can reduce the carbon emission. But the construction materials which are not disposed properly have become a moot question on the effectiveness of the existing regulations and the legislations. The solid wastes which are disposed in unregulated dumps or when openly burned may lead to serious health issues, effect the safety and results in environmental degradation. This solid waste, when disposed of, emits gases like methane, carbon and contributes to global climate change. India has an obligation to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, by balancing development and environmental protection. This paper will analyse the existing legislation relating to solid waste management, its effectiveness in regulating the construction sector and how far they comply with the international standard or requirement in protecting the environment. This research is conducted by analysing existing judgments, legislations, national reports as primary data. United Nations and its specialised agencies reports are utilised as secondary data.