Conference and Exposure Visit-C&D Waste and Dust Management with the EPR Lens

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), along with the Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) and the Directorate of Local Bodies, Government of Rajasthan, organised a conference and exposure on C&D Waste and Dust Management with the EPR lens City-city learning for performance and outcomes in Jaipur, on February 20, 2026. More than 85 participants attended the programme, including architects, researchers, professors, and students.

Prof. Satish Pipralia of MNIT opened the conference with an inaugural address on recent developments in construction and demolition (C&D) waste management in Rajasthan. He highlighted the urgent need to strengthen C&D waste management systems, the challenges cities face, and possible pathways for improvement.

Mr.Sugeet Grover, Programme Manager at CSE, then spoke about the evolution of C&D waste management in India. He explained how the C&D waste ecosystem functions and shared best practices from Delhi, Hyderabad, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Noida, Chandigarh, and Kolkata. Drawing from draft report, he highlighted lessons that could guide future projects in Rajasthan and other states. This was followed by the release of the draft report “Debris to Dividend: Good Practices on C&D Waste Management under an EPR Framework”.

Ms.Mitashi Singh, Programme Manager at CSE, presented the key provisions of the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025. She compared them with the 2016 rules and explained the revised responsibilities of urban local bodies, producers, and pollution control boards. She also highlighted stronger provisions on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Experts from different cities then shared their experiences in building C&D waste management systems. Mr. Krishnendu Datta presented Kolkata’s experience in setting up the state’s first C&D waste recycling facility, which also serves neighbouring cities. He discussed the range of recycled products produced at the facility.

Mr.Koteswara Rao discussed Hyderabad’s approach and stressed the need for multiple decentralised plants across the city. He explained how the city integrated the informal sector and developed financing mechanisms for the project.

Mr.Pradeep Khandelwal presented Delhi’s pioneering work in C&D waste management. He highlighted the need for a comprehensive ecosystem with collection points and transfer stations. He also traced the city’s journey in setting up recycling plants, discussed plant specifications, key challenges, and the way forward for the sector.

The conference ended with a panel discussion on the challenges cities face in managing C&D waste and implementing the new rules. The experts also stressed the need for greater clarity in the rules. Dr. Yash Kumar Mittal of MNIT highlighted the importance of developing better technologies and pointed to the growing opportunities in the sector.

After the conference, participants visited Jaipur’s C&D waste management plant. The plant team conducted a guided tour and explained each stage of waste processing. Participants gained practical insights into plant operations, equipment, and the production of recycled construction materials.

Following the conference, participants visited the C&D waste management plant in Jaipur to observe the waste management process firsthand. The plant team conducted a guided tour explaining each stage of C&D waste processing, providing participants with practical insights into equipment, operations, and the production of recycled construction materials.