India’s Construction Waste Is No Longer Waste: How the New EPR Framework Could Redefine Sustainable Building

India’s construction sector is entering a new era of accountability with the implementation of the Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Rules, 2025. By introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for large construction projects, the regulations are set to transform how developers manage, recycle, and reuse construction waste.

The framework also creates new opportunities for circular construction practices and low-carbon building materials.

In an exclusive interview, Tarun Jami, Founder & CEO of GreenJams, discusses the implications of the new rules, the challenges developers may face, and why construction waste should increasingly be viewed as a valuable resource rather than a disposal problem.

Q1. The new C&D Waste Management Rules 2025 introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for large construction projects. How do you see this changing the way builders and developers approach waste management and project planning?

The new framework fundamentally changes construction waste management from a disposal activity to a planned responsibility. Developers will now need to track, recycle, and reuse C&D waste from the beginning of a project rather than treating it as an afterthought. This means integrating waste management into project planning, contractor engagement, and compliance reporting. Ultimately, waste will increasingly be viewed as a resource that can be reintroduced into the construction value chain.

Q2. Cities like Bengaluru generate enormous volumes of construction debris every year. What operational and compliance challenges do you anticipate developers facing as they adapt to the new EPR framework?

The biggest challenge is infrastructure readiness. Many cities still have limited numbers of certified recyclers and processing facilities. Developers will also need to establish systems for waste tracking, documentation, and annual reporting, which many currently lack. In addition, there is a significant awareness gap, and project teams will need to build new capabilities around waste segregation and compliance management.

Q3. The regulations place significant emphasis on recycling and traceability. How can early partnerships between developers and certified waste processors help companies not only meet compliance requirements but also create long-term sustainability value?

Early partnerships enable developers to plan waste segregation and create reliable documentation systems from the start of a project. More importantly, they allow construction debris to be converted into useful building materials instead of ending up in landfills. This creates a circular model where waste becomes a resource, delivering both compliance and long-term sustainability benefits.

Q4. Solutions such as Novastone™ and Agrocrete® are demonstrating that waste can be transformed into high-performance building materials. How do such innovations move the industry beyond compliance and towards a truly circular construction economy?

Novastone™ and Agrocrete® demonstrate that waste streams can be converted into high-performance, low-carbon building materials. They replace the traditional take-use-dispose model with a circular approach where waste is continuously reintegrated into construction. Beyond compliance, these products help developers achieve green building goals, reduce carbon footprints, and access growing opportunities in sustainable construction.

Q5. Could the C&D waste EPR framework become a defining moment for India’s construction sector? What new opportunities do you foresee emerging for developers, material manufacturers, and the broader green building ecosystem over the next few years?

Yes, the framework has the potential to reshape India’s construction sector by creating accountability for waste and driving demand for recycled-content materials. It can accelerate investments in recycling infrastructure, low-carbon materials, and circular construction practices. In the long run, developers and manufacturers with traceable, sustainable supply chains will be better positioned to benefit from green financing and evolving procurement requirements.