India’s Informal Reuse Ecosystem Towards Circular Construction

As countries continue to develop, the amount of construction and demolition waste generated is exponentially increasing. There is an urgent need to move from linear, take-make-waste systems to more circular systems that extend materials lifespans. India is known for its material reuse and recycling businesses. Currently, most of these businesses are run locally and do not involve any government registration but they significantly contribute to the economic growth of the country. Despite the importance of this informal sector, there is still not enough understanding of how they operate. This paper examines the processes and people involved in reusing construction elements in Mumbai and Bangalore, and their current models of resource procurement and trade. Field visits and interviews were conducted to understand through whom materials are transferred in the informal ecosystem, what types of materials and quantities can be currently procured in informal supply chains, what the storage practices are, and how reusable construction elements are retrieved and processed. A qualitative content analysis method helped to understand the informal material reclamation processes in India. Findings show that although a robust informal material reuse ecosystem exists across India, organisation and governmental policies are needed for effective contribution towards sustainable development goals and a circular economy.