Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling – An Overview

If you have a burning desire in your heart to launch a construction and demolition waste recycling plant, you are at the right place. Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste recycling is the process typically used for collection, sorting, recycling, and reusing waste generated during construction, demolition, and renovation activities.

Construction and demolition waste recycling is considered a crucial step that assists in reducing environmental impact, conservation of natural resources, and promotion of sustainable practices in India.

The Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste recycling avoids indiscriminate dumping, land & air pollution caused because of construction and demolition projects. The practice also reduces the pressure of overutilization of natural resources, adversely impacting the environment.

Talk to business consultants at Fastzeal and initiate your construction and demolition waste recycling plant with comfort.

What is C&D Waste?

C&D, which stands for Construction and Demolition Waste, is waste generated from the construction, renovation, repair, and demolition of houses, large building structures, roads, and other infrastructure. It comprises debris and other hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead, accounting for around 40% of total solid waste generated in India.

India generates approx. 150–155 million tons of C&D waste annually, which is considered one of the largest sources of solid waste stream in the world.

Generally, there are two major sources of generation of construction and demolition waste in India, namely:

1. Bulk Generators such as roads, bridges, flyovers, flats, parks, malls, etc.

2. Retail/ Small Generators such as houses, small buildings, etc.

Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Business Benefits

The benefits of the construction and demolition waste recycling business in India are as discussed below:

1. Sustainable Development
The rapid growth of the construction and demolition waste recycling business in the C&D industry promotes sustainable development by reducing the environmental impact, greenhouse gas emissions, etc.

2. Enhances Health and Safety
The proper disposal of hazardous waste generated through construction and demolition activities enhances both human and environmental health and safety. It is one of the merits of C&D waste recycling.

3. Resource Conservation
The establishment of recycling plant for disposal of construction and demolition waste ensures conservation of natural resources like sand, gravel, and timber used for building new structures. It is one of the significant benefits of the construction and demolition waste recycling business.

4. Corporate Environmental Responsibility
Proper disposal of hazardous waste generated from construction and demolition activities demonstrates corporate environmental responsibility towards the protection of the environment.

5. Lower Project Cost
Proper disposal of construction and demolition waste significantly lowers the project costs by reducing disposal fees, landfill taxes, and the need to purchase new materials.

6. Ethical Waste Management
The establishment of a recycling plant for disposal of construction and demolition waste promotes ethical waste management practices that have minimal effect on the environment. It is one of the crucial benefits of construction and demolition waste recycling in India.

7. Builds Reputation
The employment of recycling practices for wastes generated from construction and demolition activities builds a solid reputation showcasing the dedication towards the environment.

Essentials – Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling in India

Given below are the essentials for construction and demolition waste recycling in India:

Clearances Required for C&D Waste Recycling in India

1. GST Registration
Every construction and demolition waste recycling business conducting interstate business or having revenue above the threshold level must apply for GST registration.

2. MSME Registration
The entities with a unique number must comply with the growth of MSME companies, strengthening the economy.

3. Factory License
Every business engaged in recycling waste generated from construction and demolition must obtain a factory license from the local government.

4. NOC by State Pollution Control Board
The C&D recycling plants are obliged to obtain valid authorization from the Pollution Control Committee or the State Pollution Control Board.

5. Industry-Specific Permits
The C&D recycling business must apply for industry-specific permits such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) & intellectual properties permit required for doing business in India.

6. For Businesses Outside India
The C&D recycling plant must obtain various licenses and permits from municipal, state, and federal governments for doing business outside India.

Criteria for Storage and Processing under C&D Waste Recycling

1. Operator of the facility must submit an annual report to the State Pollution Control Board.

2. Operator must apply in Form 1 for authorization from the State Pollution Control Board.

3. Site must be away from habitation clusters, forest areas, water bodies, monuments, national parks, etc.

4. A buffer zone of no development shall be maintained around the waste disposal and processing facility.

5. Construction waste management facilities must abide by the SPCB's pollution control standards.

6. The C&D facility must be duly fenced or hedged with proper gates.

7. Work zone air quality and ambient air quality must be monitored in the vicinity.

8. A vegetative boundary shall be made around the C&D recycling plant to strengthen the buffer zone.

Documents Required for C&D Waste Recycling Business

The list of documents required for the C&D waste recycling business is as enlisted below:

1. Layout Design

2. Process Flow Chart

3. GST Certificate

4. PAN Card of Authorized Signatory

5. Details of Installed Machinery

6. Proof of Site Ownership or Rent/Lease Agreement

7. Factory License

8. Trade License

9. Project Report

10. Copy of Agreement with Concerned Local Bodies

11. Consent to Establish from State Pollution Control Board

12. Consent to Operate

13. Other Documents (if required)

How to Set Up a C&D Waste Recycling Plant in India?

Given below is the stepwise guide to setting up a C&D waste recycling plant in India:

1. Filing of Application
The businesses seeking to apply for setting up a C&D waste recycling plant must initially file an application in Form I as specified in C&D Rules, 2016.

2. Submission of Documents
The businesses must further submit the required documents, such as the GST certificate, layout plan, process flow chart, and proof of ownership of the site, to the Pollution Control Committee or the State Pollution Control Board.

3. Scrutiny of Documents Submitted
The documents duly submitted must be scrutinized by the member of the Pollution Control Committee or the State Pollution Control Board.

4. Inspection of Site
Once the documents are scrutinized, the Pollution Control Committee or the State Pollution Control Board is further authorized to inspect the competency or disposal capacity of the proposed site.

5. Grant of C&D Business Authorization
Upon being satisfied with the inspection, the concerned Pollution Control Committee or the State Pollution Control Board grants the authorization to establish a C&D recycling business in India.

What is the C&D Waste Recycling Management Technologies?

Some of the exciting innovation technologies/equipment used in the Construction and Demolition, i.e., C&D waste recycling management industry, are as discussed below:

Old Management Techniques under C&D Waste Recycling

1. Feed Hopper & Feeders: Used for controlled feeding of C&D waste materials into the recycling system.

2. Pre-Screening Systems: Includes trommel screens, disc screens, and anti-wrapping screens.

3. Washing and Aggregate Cleaning System: Removes impurities, dirt, and dust from materials.

4. Trash Screen: Designed for the removal of lightweight materials such as plastics and papers.

5. Sizing Screen: Used for sorting washed aggregates into various sizes.

6. Hydro Cyclone System: Used for washing and separating fine particles of sand from water.

7. Water Management System: Facilitates the recycling of processed water.

New Technological Innovations under C&D Waste Recycling

1. Mobile Recycling Technology, including portable recycling technology.

2. Improved Data Management Systems to track waste and monitor the C&D waste recycling process.

3. Sorting Robots such as magnetic separators, air classifiers, x-ray sorting systems, etc.

4. Size Reduction Equipment such as primary and secondary shredders.

Types of C&D Waste in C&D Waste Recycling Business

The construction and demolition (C&D) wastes are divided into three parts in the C&D waste recycling business. Have a look over the different types of waste generated from construction and demolition activities in the C&D waste recycling business:

1. Inert Trash
Inert Trash, which comprises items like dirt, bricks, stones, asphalt, concrete, and asphalt, should not be disposed of through landfill because it is neither chemically nor biologically reactive.

2. Non-hazardous Waste
Non-hazardous waste comprises wastes that do not endanger the environment or human health. It further ensures the recycling of plastic, glass, and metal wastes generated from construction and demolition activities.

3. Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste generated from C&D activities is waste that may be detrimental to human health, such as asbestos, and hence needs to be handled by experts.

Method for Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling in India

The entire process elaborating the method for construction and demolition waste recycling in India:

Demolition Waste Recycling

1. The wastes generated from construction and demolition activities must be initially collected and transported to a recycling facility under construction and demolition waste recycling in India.

2. The hazardous waste materials must be sorted and separated into different categories.

3. Larger pieces of concrete, masonry, and asphalt must be crushed and ground into smaller pieces for easier processing.

4. Metals must be separated from other materials using a magnet or eddy current separator.

5. Wood waste must be chopped or shredded into smaller pieces for use as fuel, mulch, or in the production of engineered wood products.

6. The separated materials must be processed further to produce new products or serve as feedstock for the manufacturing of new products.

Components of C&D Wastes under C&D Waste Recycling

The components included in construction and demolition (C&D) waste under C&D waste recycling are as discussed below:

Major Components under C&D Waste Recycling Business

1. Cement concrete: Used to construct new roads and pavements.

2. Bricks

3. Cement plaster

4. Steel from reinforced concrete (RC)

5. Doors and windows

6. Roofing support systems

7. Rubble

8. Stones and clay (soil from excavation)

9. Timber, wood, etc.

Minor Components under C&D Waste Recycling Business

1. Conduits

2. GI pipes, iron pipes, or plastic pipes

3. Electrical fixtures

4. Panels

5. Asbestos and contaminated soil

6. Glass

7. Plastic carry bags, sachets of tobacco, and other plastics

8. Clothes, cement bags, gunny bags, thermocol, etc.

Strategies for Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling

The strategies used for construction and demolition waste recycling are as discussed below:

1. Reducing the use of materials and minimizing the waste generated at its source.

2. Reusing materials and fixtures like doors and windows in other construction projects.

3. Recycling materials such as concrete, bricks, and metals for reuse in new construction projects.

4. Recovering energy from certain waste materials through processes like incineration or anaerobic digestion.

5. Disposing of C&D waste that cannot be reused, recycled, or recovered in an environmentally safe landfill.

6. Rebuying used C&D materials and recycled content products for reuse in new construction projects.

Why Trust Fastzeal for C&D Waste Recycling?

1. 99% Success Rate
At Fastzeal, we have maintained a success rate of 99% for getting approvals for C&D waste recycling.

2. 10+ Years of Experience
Our consultants at Fastzeal have 10+ years of solid experience in Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling in India.

3. Assisted 20+ Greenpreneurs
Our environmental consultants have assisted over 20 Greenpreneurs in launching their C&D Waste Recycling Plant.

4. Application Preparation & Submission
We help green entrepreneurs with application preparation & submission for Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling in India.

5. Regulatory Compliance
We at Fastzeal ensure compliance with C&D rules and regulations to manage waste generated from construction and demolition activities.

6. Cost-effective Services
Fastzeal provides cost-effective services by employing waste recovery techniques and streamlined compliance procedures.

7. Timely Renewal
We at Fastzeal keep you informed regarding the timely renewal of mandatory licenses for operating a C&D recycling business in India.

8. End-to-End Customer Support
We provide end-to-end customer support and assistance to handle and simplify the C&D waste recycling process for your business.

9. Customized Solutions
We offer customized solutions and strategies to maximize the efficiency of construction and demolition waste recycling plant in India.