Residential Training on ‘Greening the Construction Sector – For C&D waste management and dust control’ at AAETI

CSE’s sustainable habitat programme conducted a training on the topic of ‘Greening the Construction Sector—For C&D Waste Management and Dust Control’. The training was held at Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute (AAETI)from August 1 to August 4, 2023, with a diverse cohort of 28 participants comprising representatives from state pollution control boards, municipal corporations, government construction bodies, academicians, and practitioners. 

Ms. AnumitaRoychowdhury kicked-off the training with the big picture on air pollution issues, sectors involved, and potential mitigation strategies.Mr. Rajneesh Sareenfurther highlighted the intricate challenges posed by construction and demolition (C&D) waste as well as rules and regulations. After that, Ms Mitashi Singh gave an overview of current practices and progress on C&D waste management in non-attainment cities.The day culminated with a tour of the AAETI facilities, providing attendees with ademonstration of sustainable practises.

Day two started with an in-depth exploration of waste quantification, focusing on solid waste streams, and a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, with emphasis on the "air environment" aspect. In the afternoon, Ms. Mitashi Singh took a session on the ecosystem approach for C&D waste management. After that, the participants were introduced to the process of management and safeguards for material handling at the site and the city level for dust abatement by Mr. Sugeet Grover. The day concluded with a collaborative activity on developing a usual construction timetable as well as field work for exercises on waste and dust management.

Day three began with a session onC&D waste processing technologies and recycled products. Next session was dedicated to unveiling the value and trade chain associated with C&D waste, especially involving the informal sector. Mr. Hari Krishnan introduced the participants to waste processing technologies, and the current status of various recycling plants in the NCR. In the afternoon session a group exercise to understand the responsibilities of municipalities, pollution control boards, developers, and site engineers for proper C&D waste management and practical issues in dust abatement measures was conducted. In the final session, participants presented their results of the exercisesand the programme was concluded with anawards ceremony for exercises conducted during the training.

On the fourth day, participants were taken to the C&D waste management plant in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, to experience the intricate procedure for C&D waste recycling techniques in practice. The plant's head provided information on processing technology and various C&D waste processing products and materials with various specifications, including sands, aggregates, and paver blocks. The residential training concluded with a visit to the C&D waste collection point of the NDMC near the PM House, New Delhi. Overall, the training received good responses and feedback from the participants.