Demonstration of a technology project undertaken by a Navi Mumbai NGO could provide the long-awaited solution to mounting heaps of construction debris.
A viable method to utilise construction debris, the technique finds takers in foreign architects, NGOs
Demonstration of a technology project undertaken by a Navi Mumbai NGO could provide the long-awaited solution to mounting heaps of construction debris, which apart from posing an increasing risk to the environment is getting difficult to handle by the day. The CIDCO-Yuva Building Centre (CYBC) is using debris from construction sites to recycle and develop bricks which can then again be used for newer buildings or as paver blocks for pavements or roads and even for gardens.
Only recently, the Navi Mumbai administration had sent back over 50 trucks carrying debris from Mumbai to be dumped in the satellite city. In fact, debris dumping has become a major issue in developing cities like Navi Mumbai and flying squads have been constituted to arrest illegal dumping, which has been creating environmental hazards by affecting the flow of storm water drains and destroying the mangroves.
City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and the Kharghar branch of NGO Yuva (Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action), have come together to develop the CYBC that recycles construction debris. Promoted by Union Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty alleviation through HUDCO, the CYBC has competitively priced these blocks between Rs2 and Rs2.90. Moreover, “this is the first time that construction waste is being recycled in South Asia”, said Project manager Bejoy Davis.
After five years of the project, CYBC now creates six varieties of building materials, including bricks, interlocking pavers, blocks, with crushed debris. “We bought a pulveriser, which requires a dust-controller, from Gujarat while the brick-making machine was brought from Hyderabad. The plant has the capacity to convert one tonne of debris and is just a small unit,” added Davis.
However, these bricks made of debris are yet to gain popularity, as they have not got the necessary help from government agencies like municipal bodies. “People are not warming up to the idea, as they think debris management is civic responsibility. Also, fewer individuals are coming forward to take the initiative. A Pune-based builder has shown some interest in buying the unit and we are awaiting their response,” said Davis.
Initially, different varieties of bricks were being developed, but the final product was 300-400 gram heavier than the regular brick used in construction. “To make it lighter we included thermocol in the raw material, as 10-70 per cent of Styrofoam, an extruded polystyrene to achieve a foam variety that resists moisture, reduced the weight tremendously. The lighter ones, though, could be used for compound walls or even to create boundaries for gardens.”
Despite Davis’ efforts to create awareness about construction waste and its recycle process, across Mumbai and in national and international seminars, the response has been lukewarm, especially from the city and in Navi Mumbai. But Davis has been visited by a growing number of architects and NGO from foreign nations, who have visited the recycling unit. “We are looking at a joint venture to raise money towards expanding this project,” Davis said.
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