Ahmedabad is setting a benchmark for sustainable waste management in India, having recycled an impressive 1.67 million metric tons of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste since 2015. This significant achievement highlights the city’s efforts towards environmental sustainability and effective waste management practices.
A new report, ‘Resource Efficiency and Recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste’, has highlighted Ahmedabad’s leadership in sustainable waste management.
The Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC), in collaboration with a private company, has been instrumental in processing 1,000 tons per day (TPD) of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. To further bolster its efforts, the AMC is constructing a second C&D waste processing facility in Gyaspur. This will enhance recycling capacity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with long-distance transportation of waste.
Dr Sharadbala Joshi, senior researcher, emphasised the benefits of sustainable practices, noting their positive impact on both the environment and the economy. She highlighted the pivotal role of the Pirana recycle plant in Ahmedabad, which is leading in C&D waste recycling. Dr Joshi also advocated for policy changes, suggesting a reduction in GST on recycled materials and an increase on new materials to promote the use of recycled resources.
The report underscores the importance of strategically locating recycling plants close to major construction sites to minimise transportation-related carbon footprints. Dr Joshi pointed out that current plants, though efficient, face high transportation costs and environmental impacts due to their distances from construction sites.
Delhi, generating approximately 4,600 tonnes of C&D waste daily, was the first city in India to establish a dedicated processing facility for such waste. Despite early challenges, including a lack of demand for recycled products, the situation improved with new regulations mandating the use of recycled materials in government projects. Notably, over 1.6 million recycled concrete blocks from Delhi’s plant have been used in the new Supreme Court Annex building.
Previously, Ahmedabad disposed of waste without treatment until 2012. Thereafter, the AMC issued an Expression of Interest for a C&D waste management plant. The AMC’s current budget for solid waste management exceeds ₹4,000 million, with a workforce of 13,000 and over 1,600 vehicles dedicated to waste collection and transportation.
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has announced the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2024, effective April 1, 2025. These rules aim to regulate waste management from construction, demolition, and renovation activities, emphasising registration, coordination with local authorities, compliance with environmental standards, and proper disposal of rejects.
The ongoing efforts to enhance recycling infrastructure and implement supportive policies underscore the city’s role in sustainable urban development and climate action.