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Surat Recycles 100% Construction Waste, Cuts 500+ Tonnes CO2 Annually

Surat has emerged as a national model by achieving 100% recycling of its construction and demolition waste. This initiative, centered on a Public-Private Partnership recycling plant in Kosad, processes materials into reusable products like aggregates and paver blocks. The program has led to an annual reduction of over 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and decreased pressure on natural resources. Surat's pioneering Clean Construction Guidelines and mandatory use of recycled materials in government projects further strengthen its position as a leader in sustainable urban development.

Key Points: Surat's 100% Construction Waste Recycling Cuts Carbon Emissions

  • 100% recycling of construction & demolition waste
  • Cuts over 500 tonnes of CO2 emissions yearly
  • First Indian city with Clean Construction Guidelines
  • PPP model plant processes 300 tonnes waste daily
3 min read

Surat's construction waste recycling cuts over 500 tonnes of Carbon annually

Surat recycles all construction waste, reducing 500+ tonnes of CO2 yearly. Learn how the city became a national model for sustainable urban development.

"complete recycling of construction waste has resulted in a reduction of more than 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually - Official Estimates"

Gandhinagar, Jan 29

Surat has taken a significant step towards becoming a zero-waste city, emerging as a national model for sustainable management of construction and demolition waste and achieving 100 per cent recycling of construction waste and measurable reductions in carbon emissions.

Traditionally known for its diamond and textile industries, Surat is now being recognised for its environmental initiatives.

During the state government's declared Urban Development Year, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has focussed on integrating modern infrastructure development with green growth and circular economy practices.

The city has set a target to ensure that all C&D waste generated is recycled, either at the site of generation or at designated recycling facilities, instead of being sent to dumping grounds.

Central to this effort is the construction and demolition waste recycling plant at Kosad, which operates under a Public-Private Partnership model.

The plant has a processing capacity of 300 metric tonnes per day and currently recycles around 80 metric tonnes of demolition waste daily. Materials such as bricks, concrete and iron fragments are scientifically processed and reused to manufacture products including crushed aggregates, recycled sand, paver blocks and concrete bricks.

According to official estimates, the complete recycling of construction waste has resulted in a reduction of more than 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to saving approximately 2,50,000 kilograms of coal.

The initiative has also reduced pressure on the extraction of natural resources such as stone and sand.

Surat's cleanliness performance has been reflected in Swachh Survekshan 2024, where the city secured the highest score in the country and continued its position in the Super Clean League.

The SMC has implemented Clean Construction Guidelines, becoming the first municipal body in India to do so.

Through e-governance platforms, citizens can register from home for the collection of construction waste, improving compliance and monitoring.

In a policy aimed at strengthening the circular economy, the SMC has made it mandatory to use up to 20 per cent recycled material produced at the plant in government tenders.

Officials say this move is expected to support the market for recycled products and encourage wider adoption of sustainable construction materials.

The Clean Construction Guidelines have also contributed to a reduction in air pollution, with mandatory use of barricades, sheds, sprinklers for dust control and green nets at construction sites.

Smart monitoring systems have led to a decline in citizen complaints related to dust and debris.

Since the Kosad plant began operations in 2018, the volume of C&D waste collected has steadily increased.

The city recorded collection of 65,746 metric tonnes in 2018-19, 37,457 metric tonnes in 2019-20, 10,614 metric tonnes in 2020-21, 23,315 metric tonnes in 2021-22, 41,451 metric tonnes in 2022-23, 49,381 metric tonnes in 2023-24 and 58,106 metric tonnes in 2024-25, all of which was recycled instead of being sent to dumping sites.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Great initiative. But I have a question - what about the smaller towns and villages? The article talks about a PPP model plant with 300 TPD capacity. That requires significant investment. How can this be scaled to tier-2 and tier-3 cities where construction is also booming?
R
Rohit P
Saving 2.5 lakh kg of coal and reducing pressure on sand mining is a huge win for our environment. Illegal sand mining is a big problem in many states. If recycled sand can replace even a part of it, that's a double benefit. Kudos to SMC!
S
Sarah B
The e-governance platform for registering waste collection from home is a game-changer. So often, good policies fail because compliance is difficult for citizens. Making it easy is half the battle won. The data on collected waste year-on-year shows it's working.
V
Vikram M
As someone from Surat, I can see the difference. The dust control measures at construction sites are actually enforced now. Earlier, passing by a site meant covering your nose. The air feels cleaner. It's good to see our city leading in something beyond diamonds and textiles.
M
Michael C
This is a very impressive circular economy case study. The policy to create a market for recycled products is crucial. Without demand, recycling plants can't survive. Other municipal corporations should study this PPP model and the accompanying policy framework in detail.

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