Transforming construction waste into a resource.

(PLVN) - In recent years, with numerous large-scale construction projects underway across the country, a significant shortage of landfill materials has emerged. Meanwhile, a paradox exists: the daily generation of construction waste (construction debris), a material that could be reused for landfill purposes, remains largely unused. This has led to widespread dumping of construction debris in many provinces and cities, causing environmental pollution and violating the law.

Figures from Hanoi can be cited to confirm this situation. According to the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment, the normal volume of construction and demolition waste generated in the area is about 2,100 tons/day. However, currently, with the implementation of many bridge projects across the Red River; the completion of ring roads; the expansion of National Highways 1 and 6, and the road connecting Thang Long Boulevard with the Hanoi-Hoa Binh Expressway... the number of structures demolished and cleared for land acquisition has increased, and the volume of construction and demolition waste has increased 4-5 times; meaning it could reach over 10,000 tons/day.

Currently, Hanoi has four construction waste treatment facilities with a total capacity of approximately 1,670 tons per day. The waste is primarily crushed for leveling and use in ongoing infrastructure projects. However, because these facilities are already overloaded, a large amount of debris is stored in temporary collection points awaiting processing. Some is transported to neighboring provinces for treatment, while others, especially from residential construction sites, are being illegally dumped in vacant lots, green spaces, rivers, lakes, and canals, causing unsightly conditions, affecting drainage, and obstructing water flow.

To address the immediate problem, the Department of Agriculture and Environment is proposing several solutions to serve key projects; such as using an on-site recycling crusher with a capacity of approximately 500 tons/day located at the project site; reviewing and arranging temporary collection points to meet processing needs within the commune/ward; and implementing several new construction and demolition waste treatment projects…

However, these are only temporary solutions. With the increasing development of socio -economic life and the growing number of private and public construction projects, the volume of construction and demolition waste will undoubtedly continue to increase significantly.

To address the problem at its root, it is known that in the draft Law amending and supplementing the Law on Environmental Protection, which is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for comments this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has added provisions to improve regulations on waste management in the direction of a circular economy, considering waste as a resource that can be reused, recycled, and returned to the production and consumption cycle. According to Clause 5

Article 64 of the draft stipulates that solid waste with remaining usable value must be recycled and reused for appropriate purposes. Soil, stone, concrete, bricks, sand, and other inert waste generated from construction activities must be reused as construction materials or for leveling the ground for projects. Organizations and individuals that generate, collect, transport, recycle, and treat waste are responsible for providing and updating electronic data on waste into the environmental information system and database.

These new proposals are considered very reasonable, in line with general trends, creating a legal basis for the formation and development of the recycled materials market, while promoting sustainable production and consumption, and developing a circular economy.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/bien-xa-ban-thanh-tai-nguyen-xay-dung.html