Efficient Construction and Demolition Waste Management Practices
摘要
Twenty-first century has witnessed insurmountable construction developments worth billions of crores which causes overwhelming waste generation during the construction, demolition, and renovation of any civil engineering structures. These wastes usually comprise of concrete, metals, plastic, aggregates, brick, wood, etc. Their disposal in the landfills, oceans, rivers, and open ground affects the environment significantly. The use of virgin materials for new projects is also uneconomical. High carbon content from the cement and concrete industry in the atmosphere is one of the factors causing global warming. The biggest challenge in the construction and demolition waste (C&DW) management is the uncertainty in the quantum and composition of these wastes in India and other developed countries. Hence, strict guidelines are necessary for their environmental management. Some other resource-efficient practices include promotion of sustainable, green, and locally available materials, source reduction, salvaging and reusing the C&DW. The recycling and reuse of C&DW in the production of fuels, aggregates, compost, and soil property amendment can reduce the fresh material demand and generate employment opportunities in this sector. This chapter describes the challenges due to indiscriminate C&DW disposal leading to environmental degradation and pollution, the waste management flowchart and hierarchy, the reuse and recycle of waste, noise and dust management, and analysis of existing guidelines for construction sectors. The sustainable C&DW management practices provide various opportunities for natural resource conservation, minimal waste production, reduced environmental degradation, conservation of the existing buildings, long-term impact on the health and lifestyle of people and employment generation.