Recycling

India Strengthens C&D Waste Recycling Framework

India Launches Robust C&D Waste Rules 2025 to Drive Circular Construction

In a groundbreaking move aimed at greening India’s construction sector, the Union government has introduced the Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Rules 2025, set to take effect from April 1, 2026. The rules mark a pivotal shift in how India handles one of its fastest-growing waste streams—construction and demolition debris—by embedding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and waste utilization into the regulatory architecture.

As urbanization accelerates and mega-infrastructure projects reshape India’s skylines, managing the environmental footprint of construction activity has become critical. The new rules mandate bulk producers—entities overseeing projects larger than 20,000 sqm—to recycle and reuse C&D waste, and do so in a traceable, accountable manner.

A Framework of Accountability Under EPR

Under the new EPR framework, developers, builders, and contractors will be required to:

  • Register their projects on an online portal managed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  • Submit detailed waste management plans outlining expected waste volumes
  • Purchase EPR credits from certified recyclers to meet defined recycling targets
  • Achieve graded recycling milestones, starting with 25% in 2025-26 and reaching 100% by 2028-29

In a notable shift, in-situ processing—where recycling is done on-site—earns higher credit weightage than off-site recycling, encouraging decentralised, efficient waste handling at the project level.

From Rubble to Resource: What Counts

The rules define a clear list of recyclable materials including concrete, bricks, cement plaster, rubble, tiles, and stone. However, materials such as wood, glass, plastic, and iron—despite being reusable—are excluded from the recycling credit system, potentially limiting the holistic reuse of demolished materials.

Furthermore, the framework introduces traceability across the lifecycle of C&D waste—from generation to processing and reuse—addressing a long-standing gap in transparency and regulatory oversight.

Roles of Regulators Expanded and Strengthened

The revised rules enhance the mandates of multiple stakeholders:

  • CPCB will host the central portal, integrate stakeholders, and establish standard operating procedures (SoPs) for environmental compliance and recycled product metrics.
  • State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) will conduct waste inventorisation, infrastructure gap assessments, and monitor implementation beyond municipal boundaries—including waste use in road construction.
  • State urban departments will formulate C&D waste policies, calculate projected waste generation, and set rates and specifications for waste utilization in public works.
  • Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) continue to manage infrastructure for collection, storage, and processing, while also approving waste plans and managing legacy and unclaimed waste.

This integrated, top-down approach ensures that both producers and regulators are aligned in delivering measurable outcomes in sustainable construction.

Recycled, But Rarely Reused: A Gap in Standards

While the rules are progressive, experts caution that existing building codes do not support adequate reuse of recycled materials. For instance, IS 383, India’s current standard, allows only:

  • 20% recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) for M25 concrete used in general construction
  • 25% RCA for non-structural elements
  • No provisions for M30 or M40 concrete, commonly used in monolithic construction—the go-to method for large-scale affordable housing and infrastructure projects

In contrast, countries like Germany, Portugal, and Australia allow substitution rates ranging from 30% to 100%, underscoring the need for India to urgently update its standards if the ambitious recycling targets are to translate into real-world reuse.

Trials That Show Promise

Recent Indian projects showcase how recycled aggregates can successfully substitute natural materials:

  • A National Council for Cement & Building Materials study found up to 40% RCA substitution feasible for structural applications.
  • CIDCO’s affordable housing project in Maharashtra used 50% fine RCA in precast concrete with satisfactory results.

These practical examples signal that technical feasibility exists, and that regulatory inertia—not performance—holds back greater adoption of recycled C&D materials.

Leading Cities, Lingering Hesitation

Cities like Delhi and Chandigarh have demonstrated that full-fledged C&D waste management ecosystems are achievable. Both cities have active collection, processing, and mandated reuse systems, yet recycled product uptake remains tepid. The primary barrier? Lack of clarity around product quality and absence of standardized testing protocols.

Without trusted certifications and performance guarantees, contractors and government agencies remain reluctant to replace virgin materials—despite clear sustainability and cost benefits.

Gradual Targets to Spur Market Readiness

The recycling and reuse targets outlined in the 2025 Rules aim for a phased market transformation:

YearRecycling TargetReuse Target (as % of material substitution)
2025-2625%
2026-2750%5%
2027-2875%10%
2028-29+100%Up to 25% by 2030-31

These targets provide a predictable trajectory for industry adaptation and allow time for recyclers, builders, and standards bodies to catch up with infrastructure, awareness, and quality assurance.

The Way Forward: Align Codes with Policy

The 2025 C&D Waste Rules are a landmark in India’s journey toward a circular economy in construction. However, they will fall short unless backed by updated technical codes, robust product testing, and mainstreaming of recycled materials in public and private projects.

What’s urgently needed:

  • Revision of IS 383 and other BIS standards to permit higher RCA usage
  • Standardization of recycled product quality, including performance benchmarks
  • Incentivisation schemes for developers adopting higher recycled content
  • Training programs for architects, engineers, and municipal staff on recycled material use

Recycling Is Not Enough—Reuse Is the Real Test

India’s C&D Waste Management Rules 2025 set a strong legal and operational foundation for tackling the mountain of rubble that modern urbanization generates. But for these rules to become transformative, quality assurance, code reforms, and demand generation must follow closely.

Only then will recycling targets translate into visible, widespread, and impactful reuse—paving the way for a truly circular construction economy.

For more in-depth analysis and inspiring climate news, click here.

You cannot copy content of this page

Scroll to Top