What is debris?
Debris is generated from damaged buildings and structures, including building materials such as concrete, bricks, and furnishings etc. Unlike household or municipal solid waste, debris is not produced though human activities in households, markets, offices, industrial and commercial premises, and public sector offices.
Large quantities of debris are generated following 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 ordonance, landmines, and booby traps. For many vulnerable countries, already overstretched waste management systems cannot cope with the 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
UNEP demonstrates that recycling debris is both feasible and economically viable. This approach helps countries turn a pollution challenge into an opportunity to build back better, while creating critical livelihood opportunities.
Key elements of UNEP’s approach include:
- Engaging with the private sector—particularly the cement and construction industries—to promote debris recycling as a business opportunity.
- Collaborating with humanitarian partners to link debris management with displacement and recovery needs.
- Extending debris recycling practices into conventional construction and demolition waste management, building long-term national capacity.
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 and reducing environmental pressures through:
- Reducing transport emissions from hauling waste
- Reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions
- Recycling debris of natural resources from quarries and riverbeds
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
Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, UNEP has been undertaking regular quantification assessments of the debris generated which has reached unprecedented levels – nearly 51 million tonnes (1 December 2024). Furthermore, UNEP has also been conducting scenario modelling to assess the resources, time required and environmental impacts of debris management. Furthermore, UNEP has also conducted a debris quantification assessment of the conflict across Lebanon (map attached).
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 the Government of Japan and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).
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
- Sustainable debris management in Gaza
Videos
- Paving the way for tomorrow with the rubble of yesterday
- Rubble to Reconstruction in Iraq
- Inauguration ceremony of Mosul debris recycling project
Stories
- Rubble to Roads: IOM and UNEP support Kirkuk’s Road to Recovery in Iraq
- 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
