Waste Management in Srilanka

Construction Waste Management in Sri Lanka

Waste Generated by the Construction Industry
Waste is best defined as any material by-product of human and industrial activity that has no residual value,

but construction industry’s waste has a residual value and is avoidable.
Hong Kong polytechnic (1993) defines construction waste as the “by product generated and removed from construction, renovation and demolition work places or sites of building and civil engineering structures”.

Types of Waste Generated by the Construction Industry
Mainly there are two types of waste in the construction industry
–

process waste
The difference between the value of those materials delivered and accepted on site and those used properly as specified and accurately measured in the work, after deducting the cost saving of substituted materials and those transferred elsewhere.

–

demolition waste
The waste generated in dismantling of buildings or infrastructure and which are consisting of high percentage of granular hard materials. The demolition waste can be biodegradable (subject to decomposition by micro-organisms: wood) and nonbiodegradable (Heavy metal) wastes.

Demolition Waste Vs. Process Waste
In general, demolition waste at least doubles the content of construction related waste (Peng et al 1997, p 50). Thus, the recovery, reuse and recycle (3 R’s) of demolition waste is more daunting and appropriate than the process waste.

“Approximately 40% of waste generated globally originate from construction and demolition of buildings.”
Roach (2001, p 24)

Purpose of Waste Management
The purpose of waste management is to reduce the amount of waste produced, thus reducing disposal costs and the environmental impact. Additionally, social costs will be reduced in terms of residential communities near landfill sites and incinerators (Pitt and Smith 2003, p 421).

Necessity for Managing Construction Waste
“Construction industry consumes 25% of virgin wood and 40% of raw stone, gravel and sand used globally each year”
(Hobbs 2001, p 52).

Necessity for Managing Construction Waste (Cont.)
According to the latest Input-Output table (2000) for Sri Lanka, Construction is the largest buyer of:
– –

Forestry sector – 77.23% Mining & quarrying sector – 76.45%

Study of Reuse and Recycling Industry in Sri Lanka
The research was conducted by means of structured interviews to gather information on current practices of demolished material reuse, recycling and the market conditions in Sri Lanka. 28 contractors have found to be in business All 28 contractors took part in the survey

Reuse and Recycle of Demolished Materials
The Reuse and Recycling industry is one which brings back the rejected and neglected waste into material cycle. Hence it makes materials to transit in a cyclical nature and assists to minimize the impact on the environment, which would otherwise be very significant and hazardous.

Reuse and Recycle Industry in Sri Lanka
The Reuse and Recycling industry is basically clustered around Colombo and especially within the suburbs of the Colombo city. The penetration of the industry to outer regions of the island is insignificant. The Sri Lankan Reuse and Recycling industry is limited to demolition contracts only and no process wastes are being taken for reuse and recycling.

Profile of the industry
Category Demolition and Re-use only Demolition and Recycling only Number of contractors 10 0

Demolition, Re-use and Recycling

18

The Practice
According to the research, it was found that few contractors are in business for more than 50 years while most others have recently entered in to the industry. The Reuse and Recycling industry has been recognized as a rapidly growing industry in Sri Lanka. Newcomers find it very easy to enter the market.

Demand Placed on Demolition Contractors During Year 2005
Demand for demolition projects during year 2005 Cinema hall Bakeries 0.27% 0.54% School 9.54% Hotels Residential Churches 0.82% 0.27% Stores Office 0.27% Office Hotels Stores 1.36% Bakeries Cinema hall Residential 86.92% School Churches

No of Contractors 15 20 25 30

10

0 Door frames Window frames Brick cabok Roof timber Asbestos Sheets Zine Alum Calicut tiles Ceiling panels Rain water ain water down Bathroom Ceiling fans Concrete grills imber staircase Steel gates 25x125x100mm Door sashes Antiques Reinforcement Rubble Reuse Recycle Floor & wall

What they recover from waste ?

5

Material Door Frames Window frames Brick Cabok (Lataritte brick) Roof Timber Asbestos Roofing Sheets Zinc Alum Roofing Sheets Calicut Roof Tiles Ceiling Panels Rain Water Gutters Rain Water Down Pipes Toilet Fittings Ceiling Fans Concrete Grills Timber Staircase Handrails Steel Gates Stone Paving Blocks Door sashes Antiques Reinforcement Bars Rubble Floor and Wall Tiles

Recovery Rate (%) 100.00 100.00 75.00 96.43 100.00 100.00 21.43 85.71 78.57 50.00 50.00 78.57 25.00 42.86 50.00 64.28 57.14 100.00 17.86 10.71 21.43 3.57

Reuse Rate (%) 100.00 100.00 75.00 96.43 100.00 100.00 21.43 85.71 78.57 50.00 50.00 78.57 25.00 42.86 50.00 64.28 57.14 100.00 17.86 10.71 21.43 3.57

Recycling Rate (%) 35.71 17.86 _ _ 60.71 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Recovery of Materials
Recovery of timber is 100% Only timber is re-cycled Re-use of following materials are high
– – – – –

Cabok (Laterrite Brick) – 97% Calicut Roof Tiles – 86% Ceiling Panels – 79% Toilet Fittings – 79% Bricks – 75%

Materials that are not recovered
According to the findings, some of the materials are not recovered by the contractors such as;
– –

–

Demolished concrete Non-ferrous materials (Plastic, Electrical wire, etc). Floor and wall tiles

Reasons for not Recovering
The most important factor is the market value for the salvaged materials. For example, demolished concrete is not recovered at all, because salvaged concrete does not have a market.

Demand for Reuse and Recycled Materials
Demand for Reuse and Recycled construction materials are found to be mainly from residential builders and clients. The demand from large scale building contractors and civil engineering contractors are insignificant.

Supply of Reuse and Recycled Materials
Supply of these materials are limited to few items. Supply is concentrated mainly in and around Colombo.

Market for Recycled Products (The Case of Timber)
Product Door frame Door sash Window frame Window sash Original market price 5000.00 10000.00 4250.00 1870.00 Recycled price 4500.00 7500.00 3500.00 1500.00 Cost saving 10% 25% 18% 30%

Regulatory Background
The National Environmental Act (NEA) of 1980, is the major regulation in Sri Lanka which promotes environmental management. The main areas of environmental pollution covered under NEA are;
Discharge of effluents Emission of smoke Emission of noise Discharge of solid waste Disposal of storm water Discharge of oil & grease

Other Regulations
Subsequent regulation gazetted by Gazette notification No. 924/13 -1996 / 05 /23; Introduction of Hazardous Waste Management System Restriction on transport of recovered material. Permit should be obtained in the following form:
– – –

Receipt issued by the client for all the recovered materials except roof timber, stating they were recovered from his property. For roof timber, permit should be given from the relevant Pradeshiya Sabha (Local Authority) with details of type of timber, quantity etc. If it is from outside Colombo to Colombo, permits for lorries should obtained from the relevant Pradeshiya Sabha or Road Development Authority (RDA).

Regulatory Bodies Supporting the Reuse and Recycling Industry

Local Authorities Urban Development Authority (UDA) Road Development Authority (RDA) and Divisional Secretarial Offices Central Environment Authority (CEA)

Issues in Regulation
Sri Lanka does not have regulations specifically designed for construction waste disposal . Even the general regulations devoid of penalties/ incentives. Therefore, implementation is very weak.