The Indian government has announced the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025. These new rules seek to tighten regulations and promote sustainable practices in the handling of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. These rules were published on April 4, 2025 and will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
These rules establish a framework for managing C&D waste across the country. They supersede the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.
The rules apply to all activities related to construction, demolition, remodeling, renovation, and repair of structures. However, they exempt certain categories of waste from their application such as waste covered under the Atomic Energy Act, defense projects, waste from natural disasters or acts of war, and waste covered by other sector-specific rules.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
The new rules make producers responsible for the environmentally sound disposal and management of C&D waste and meeting of EPR targets specified in the First Schedule. Producers can meet EPR targets through purchasing EPR certificates from registered recyclers.
An online portal will be established for the registration and monitoring of producers, intermediate waste storage facilities, recyclers, and collection points. Entities operating without registration will be prohibited, and those providing false information face penalties, including registration revocation and environmental compensation charges.
Waste management plans are required for all construction projects, assessing waste quantum and promoting recycling. Specific materials like cement concrete, bricks, and tiles are included in EPR target assessments, while reusable materials like iron and wood are excluded.
Processed waste must be utilized in construction projects exceeding 20,000 square meters and road construction, following targets in the Second and Third Schedules. An online portal will monitor waste utilization.
Responsibilities
Waste generators must collect, segregate, store, and transport waste responsibly. Contractors and service providers must assist in waste collection, meet EPR targets, and implement sustainable construction practices.
Operators of intermediate waste storage facilities and collection points must coordinate with authorities, follow standard procedures, and provide data through the online portal.
Recyclers are required to coordinate with authorities, follow standard procedures, meet product quality standards, and properly dispose of rejects.
Entities failing to comply with disposal and recycling provisions, including EPR targets, will be liable to pay environmental compensation. Producers that fulfill the EPR after paying the compensation, will be refunded a percentage of the compensation, depending on the time taken to fulfill the EPR.
Providing false information will result in the cancellation of the registration, and the compensation will not be refunded.
In the event of an accident during the collection, transportation, storage, or processing of waste, the manager or person in charge of the entity must report the incident to the State Pollution Control Board immediately or within 24 hours via telephone and email.
