Recycling and Reuse of Construction and Demolition Waste for Sustainable Development

10 Pages Posted: 24 Jan 2014 Last revised: 29 Jan 2014

See all articles by Snehal Kumbhar

Snehal Kumbhar

Dr. J. J. Magdum College of Engineering - Civil Department

Anilkumar Gupta

Dr. J. J. Magdum College of Engineering - Civil Department

Dadaso Desai

Dr. J. J. Magdum College of Engineering - Civil Department

Date Written: 2013

Abstract

As we are living in 21st century, new technologies are being invented in almost every sector to make human life fast and easier. Beside this we are still finding the solutions to problems related to our environment, energy and natural resources.

Construction industry produces large amount of waste throughout the year. Most of the time construction and demolition waste ends up in landfills disturbing environmental, economical and social life cycle. Construction and demolition waste is the waste materials that are produced in the process of construction, renovation or demolition of residential or nonresidential structures. Components of construction and demolition waste typically include concrete, asphalt, wood, metals, gypsum wallboard, roofing, paper, plastic, drywall and glass.

Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; and can be considered as one of the solution to solve construction and demolition waste problem. Sustainable development in construction will help a lot to reduce the problems related to environment and natural resources as construction industry is a major user of world’s resources. Sustainable design, proper use and reuse of the resources/construction materials will make construction industry more economical and green.

Concrete is the second most consumed material after water, so recycling of concrete can save construction costs also it will help to keep environment healthy. Concrete collected from sites is put through crushing machine, usually uncontaminated concrete i.e. free from wood, plastic, paper and other unwanted materials. Metals such as rebar are removed with the help of magnets and other sorting devices.

In many countries like Japan, United States, United Kingdom various recycling techniques are being used and returning good results. Process of recycling construction and demolition waste includes storage, sorting, collection, transportation, recycling and disposing. Recycling methods used in japan are heating and rubbing methods, eccentric-shaft rotor method and Mechanical grinding method.

Recycling of Construction and demolition waste has many benefits such as reduction in transportation cost, it keeps environment clean and reduces natural resource exploitation. To promote recycling and reuse of waste, awareness about its effects and benefits should be communicated with people, contractors, engineers and architects. More numbers of recycling plants should be installed and allowing the use of recycled aggregate instead of natural aggregate for some purpose.

In this paper I am going to focus on different recycling techniques and reuse of construction and demolition waste.

Keywords: Construction & Demolition waste; Recycling; Reuse; Recycling techniques; Sustainable development

Suggested Citation

Kumbhar, Snehal and Gupta, Anilkumar and Desai, Dadaso, Recycling and Reuse of Construction and Demolition Waste for Sustainable Development (2013). OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 6, No. 7, pp. 83-92, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2383436

Snehal Kumbhar (Contact Author)

Dr. J. J. Magdum College of Engineering - Civil Department ( email )

Gat No. 289, Shirol
Wadi Road , Agar Bhag
Jaysingpur, Maharashtra 416101
India

Anilkumar Gupta

Dr. J. J. Magdum College of Engineering - Civil Department ( email )

Gat No. 289, Shirol
Wadi Road , Agar Bhag
Jaysingpur, Maharashtra 416101
India

Dadaso Desai

Dr. J. J. Magdum College of Engineering - Civil Department ( email )

Gat No. 289, Shirol
Wadi Road , Agar Bhag
Jaysingpur, Maharashtra 416101
India

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