Construction & Civil Engineering 221 May | Page 23

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Circular Economy

PRACTICAL APPROACH

How the construction sector can transition to a circular economy. Rahul Bahl gives a perspective from India

The homebuilding industry today faces a critical challenge: balancing affordability with sustainability. India generates 150 million tons of construction and demolition( C & D) waste annually, yet less than one percent is recycled, compared to 88 percent in the European Union. While C & D Waste Management Rules( 2016) exist, their enforcement is inconsistent, leaving private developers with little incentive to adopt circular practices at scale.

Despite these challenges, some Indian cities are making progress. In Delhi-NCR, Ahmedabad, and Pimpri Chinchwad, large-scale C & D waste recycling plants are operational, and government projects are increasingly mandated to use recycled materials. However, incentives for private
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