Perspective towards Construction and Demolition Waste Management: Case Study on Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Abstract

Türkiye is located in the most active earthquake zones with the shortest return period. There is plenty of demolition waste in 11 cities affected by the earthquake in Türkiye on 6th February 2023. A magnitude of 7.7 earthquake occurred in Pazarcik, Kahramanmaraş which is followed by an earthquake of 7.6 in Elbistan, Kahramanmaraş. This is the biggest disaster of the century. The number of collapsed or damaged buildings are approximately 280,000 and the economic damage is at least 100 billion US dollars. According to the Chamber of Environmental Engineers, 104 million tons of construction and demolition waste was generated. The demolition waste produced by the earthquake constitutes the solid waste with the highest weight and volume. The current earthquake rubble must be removed to attain the normal life in the cities. Thus it is necessary to develop and improve the technologies to be used for disposal and recycle of the waste stored in the areas under special conditions. In this book chapter, the evaluation of the wastes formed as a result of the 6th February 2023 earthquake, which is one of the largest earthquakes in the recent history of the world, will be discussed.