What is debris?
Debris’ is generated from damaged buildings and structures and includes building materials such as concrete and bricks, furnishings etc. Debris is not ‘waste’ that arises from the daily lives of households, markets, offices, industrial and commercial premises, and public sector offices.
Large quantities of debris are generated in the wake of disasters and conflicts which represents a major obstacle for reconstruction. It is projected that the volumes of disaster and conflict debris will increase with the surge in climate related disasters, and growing conflict trends particularly in urban settings. Conflict debris is further complicated by the presence of unexploded ordinance, landmines, and booby traps. Already stretched solid waste management systems in the most vulnerable countries cannot handle this additional load of disaster and conflict debris.
The prevailing linear approach to debris removal in many countries is typified by ad-hoc and unplanned dumping, especially in the early phases of the event. This rushed response simply transfers the debris problem from one place to another incurring significant costs and often placing debris in unsuitable and environmentally sensitive locations. By planning and coordinating debris management and evaluating the benefits of recycling, substantial cost savings can be made while creating jobs and valuable recycled materials for affected communities and reducing the environmental footprint of recovery.
The approach of UNEP to sustainable debris management
By showing that recycling debris is a feasible and viable approach making economic sense, UNEP support is helping countries turn a waste and pollution problem into a chance to build back better. This also creates critical livelihood opportunities to address urgent socio-economic and environmental challenges. Through its engagement with the private sector and end users – particularly the cement and construction industries – in recycling debris as a business opportunity, UNEP is helping close the loop in the (re)construction sector.
Additionally, by working with humanitarian partners, UNEP is demonstrating how environmentally driven action can help address displacement challenges and create much needed jobs. Beyond addressing the immediate challenges of disaster and conflict debris, it also enables countries to gain first-hand experience and extend debris recycling into conventional construction and demolition waste management for the future.
The debris management work of UNEP directly contributes to its “Towards Zero Waste” goal by promoting the uptake of circularity-based waste management. By reducing transport emissions from hauling waste it also reduces fuel consumption and carbon emissions. And by recycling debris it replaces the need to extract natural resources from quarrying, thereby protecting landscapes and riverbeds, and conserving biodiversity.
Key areas of UNEP technical assistance:
- Debris assessment survey and mapping
- Debris scenario modelling and cost-benefit analysis
- Debris management training
- Development of debris management plans
- Material quality testing to identify appropriate end use applications
- Debris recycling demonstration projects
- Development of recycled aggregate standards
- Development of debris management contingency plans
Debris management scenario mapping recent projects
In February 2023, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Türkiye and heavily impacted north-west Syria. UNEP estimated the quantities of debris generated and produced scenario maps, according to different debris management options, in four cities in the Kahramanmaras province of Türkiye, as well as in towns and villages of Northwest Syria and in the two Governorates of Latakia and Aleppo.
UNEP initial quantification of demolition waste in Aghdam district, Azerbaijan was used to develop five scenarios for managing the nearly 3 million Tonnes of debris generated by the conflict in this region.
The work of UNEP on disaster and conflict debris management is made possible by generous support from Japan and the Swedish International Development Agency.
Resources and examples of UNEP support
- Disaster Waste Management Guidelines
- Environmental Management Guidelines for Debris Recycling Sites in Iraq
- Mosul Debris Management Assessment
- Kirkuk Debris Management Workshop Report
- Beirut Port Explosion Advisory Note on Debris Management Options
- Asbestos Health and Safety Requirements
- Managing post-disaster debris: the Japan experience
Videos
Stories
- From disasters to conflicts: tackling the impact on people and planet
- Environmental legacy of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
- Mosul’s recovery moves towards a circular economy
- As conflict abates, Iraqi villages begin to tackle “huge” problem of rubble
- Iraq: Debris recycling to help displaced return, amidst COVID-19 outbreak risk
