Construction debris becomes growing concern of growing cities. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duan, Huabo; Miller, Travis R.; Liu, Gang; Tam, Vivian W.Y.
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 83(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Urban sustainability -- Developing countries -- Construction and demolition waste -- Management; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.10.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: Growing cities are facing environmental and safety risks of construction debris. Mismanagement has led to serious impacts, such as the Shenzhen and Chennai disasters. Dumping dominated the disposal, and consumed considerable scarce scare land resources. More research on construction debris reduction is essential. Rethinking of urban planning to avoid large scale urban renewal is urgently needed. Abstract: How can growing cities be expanded in a sustainable way? Huge waste generation has become a major challenge in many growing cities, particularly in developing countries. China's annual C&D waste generation was and estimated 2.4 billion tonnes in the past decade, which is 15 times more than municipal solid waste generation. India has less C&D waste generation than China, yet still is as high as 530 million tons in 2013. However, only around 5% of C&D waste was reused in these countries and the rest largely ends up in dumping sites for disposal. As China and other developing countries continue to urbanize in the next decades, C&D waste management will continue to be a significant challenge for urban sustainability in terms of the environment, economics, and safety. We therefore critically reviewed the C&D waste generation, management, and challenges faced by the fast expanding cities in China and other developing countries. We also compared the current characteristics of key C&D waste systems in developing and developed countries. Recommendations for swift action are made for policy makers in growing cities.