Building waste powers sustainable growth in Chennai

As Chennai grapples with mounting volumes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste—averaging 1,000 metric tonnes daily—an innovative model led by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is now placing the city at the forefront of sustainable urban development.

Through state-of-the-art C&D waste processing plants located at Perungudi and Kodungaiyur, the city is transforming heaps of debris into reusable construction materials, significantly reducing environmental burden while contributing to Chennai’s transition towards a low-carbon urban future. The recycling facilities, operated in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, employ vertical shaft impactor technology to convert concrete boulders into construction-grade aggregates, M sand, and P sand. These plants process up to 100 tonnes per hour and ensure that even by-products like sludge are repurposed, finding use in filling and even in the glass manufacturing sector. The refined sand, which is up to 30 percent cheaper than its conventional counterpart, has already gained traction among industry giants, including Larsen & Toubro and various civic contractors.

Chennai currently generates over 6,150 metric tonnes of solid waste every day, of which a considerable share is construction debris. To streamline its management, GCC has instituted a tiered classification system—micro generators (up to 1MT), small (1–20MT), and bulk generators (above 20MT). While micro contributors are entitled to a free pick-up via the Namma Chennai app or the city’s 1913 helpline, larger generators are mandated to pay ₹800 per tonne for processing. Premier Precision Company, the authorised collection agency, manages the logistics from pick-up to processing, with app-based verification requiring before-and-after images to prevent misuse.

These plants deploy a comprehensive line-up of technologies including crushers, magnetic separators, log washers, hydrocyclones, and vibrating screens to achieve maximum yield with minimal waste. Debris as large as 600mm is crushed and segregated; metals are extracted using magnetic separators, while plastics and wooden residues are filtered out in advanced washing units. Notably, around 85 percent of the water used in this intensive process is recycled, adhering to the principles of circular economy and responsible resource consumption. The quality of the recycled materials has been certified by IIT-Madras, further boosting its credibility within the construction ecosystem.

Since launching a city-wide clean-up drive on January 7, the civic body has cleared over one lakh tonnes of debris across all 15 zones. This massive recovery exercise not only restores public spaces but also ensures that construction waste is not left to clog Chennai’s already strained drainage systems, particularly as the monsoon approaches.

With the Construction & Demolition Waste Management Guidelines set to become officially enforceable from April 21, residents and developers are being encouraged to fall in line. Violations of the new rules could attract penalties ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 per day, according to senior officials. The initiative aligns closely with Chennai’s broader ambitions to achieve eco-conscious urbanisation and reduce dependence on non-renewable construction materials.

As cities across India struggle with the dual challenge of rapid urbanisation and waste proliferation, Chennai’s data-backed, tech-driven approach could well become a benchmark for other metropolitan regions. The success of such models underscores that waste, when managed innovatively, can become an enabler of growth rather than a by-product of it.

Building waste powers sustainable growth in Chennai