(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

(GIST OF YOJANA) CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION CIRCULAR ECONOMY SOLUTIONS

(OCTOBER-2024)

CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION CIRCULAR ECONOMY SOLUTIONS

Introduction:

India’s construction sector plays a crucial role in the economy, contributing to GDP, infrastructure investment, and employment. However, it also poses significant environmental challenges due to the generation of large volumes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, which accounts for nearly one-third of India’s total solid waste. Implementing circular economy solutions can reduce C&D waste, promoting sustainable development and transforming the construction industry into a more efficient and environmentally responsible sector.

Linear vs. Circular Economic Systems

Linear Economy: A ‘Take-Make-Waste’ Model

Historically, the linear economy follows a model where raw materials are extracted, used to manufacture products, and then discarded as waste. This system assumes an endless supply of resources, which is no longer sustainable due to urbanization, population growth, and resource depletion. The linear model leads to waste generation, environmental degradation, and health hazards as discarded materials often end up in landfills, incinerators, or dumpsites.

Circular Economy: A Closed-Loop System

The circular economy represents an alternative model that reduces waste by keeping products and materials in circulation for as long as possible.
It follows a closed-loop system, focusing on minimizing the use of virgin resources and maximizing reuse and recycling. In this model, products are designed to stay in the economic loop through their entire lifecycle, ensuring that even residues and waste materials are recycled or recovered for further use.

The Importance of the Construction Sector in India

Scale of Construction in India

Globally, the construction industry is the largest consumer of resources and raw materials, and in India, it accounts for around 20% of total material demand. As India’s construction sector is poised to become the third largest in the world, its impact on environmental sustainability is significant. The sector currently contributes over 8% to the GDP and is vital for meeting the growing affordable housing demand, which is expected to reach 38 million units by 2030.

C&D Waste Generation in India

Construction activities in India generate about 12 million tons of C&D waste annually, constituting 20-25% of the country’s total municipal solid waste (MSW). This waste typically consists of soil, sand, gravel, bricks, masonry, concrete, metal, and wood. Unfortunately, much of this waste ends up in landfills or is improperly disposed of, contributing to urban waste management challenges. Recycling and reusing C&D waste can reduce resource consumption and provide environmental benefits.

Role of Circular Economy in Managing C&D Waste

Adaptive Reuse and Deconstruction

The circular economy encourages the reuse of materials and components through methods such as:

Adaptive Reuse: Repurposing parts of existing structures.
Deconstruction: Careful dismantling to recover reusable components.
Design for Deconstruction (DfD) and Design for Reuse (DfR): Designing buildings to incorporate reclaimed components, ensuring that materials can be reused at the end of the building’s lifecycle.
Design for Longevity (DfL): Planning buildings for extended use, reducing the need for new materials.

Benefits of Implementing Circularity in C&D Waste Management

Economic and Social Benefits

Reduced waste processing costs: By preventing C&D waste from entering the MSW stream, it enhances the efficiency of MSW processing.
Prevention of urban flooding: Proper management prevents clogging of drains and water bodies.
Land conservation: By reducing waste volume going to landfills, more land is preserved for other purposes.
Employment generation: Recycling and processing of C&D waste create jobs and foster new enterprises.
Conservation of natural resources: Recycled C&D materials reduce the demand for virgin materials.

Environmental Benefits

Air pollution reduction: Proper C&D waste management suppresses dust and pollutants.
Flood prevention: Managing C&D waste reduces unauthorized dumping in drains and water channels, mitigating the risk of floods.
Reduced environmental impact: Recycling C&D materials lowers the environmental impacts associated with mining virgin resources.

Circularity Potential of C&D Waste Maximizing Circularity

Planning Phase: Integration of circular economy principles at the project appraisal stage.
Construction Phase: Using environmentally friendly materials and reducing waste generation.
Operation and Maintenance Phase: Ensuring longevity and reuse of materials throughout the building’s lifespan.
Dismantling Phase: Recycling and repurposing materials at the end of a structure’s life.

Conclusion

Adopting circular economy principles in the construction sector presents immense opportunities for innovation, cost reduction, and resource conservation. By reducing the demand for raw materials, improving construction quality, and minimizing waste, the circular economy aligns with India’s sustainable development goals. Complete adoption of circular practices could create annual benefits of Rs 4.9 lakh crore (USD 76 billion) by 2050, along with environmental and social benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and decreased water consumption. The introduction of circular economy concepts into urban planning and building design can help India create resilient cities that are less reliant on non-renewable resources, while also supporting environmental sustainability in the long term.