1. The Challenge
The booming construction industry in Mongolia has resulted in several
environmental issues, a key one, is the production of massive amounts of
C&D waste. An associated issue is the poor management of that waste. It
is estimated that construction waste accounted for 20-25% of all overall
solid waste produced in Mongolia. C&D waste is thus one of the largest
waste streams in Mongolia.In Ulaanbaatar, much of this construction
waste is dumped illegally.Construction companies do not have any proper
inventory systems to classify the different types of waste, or waste-
separation arrangements. Most of the professionals and workers in the
sector lack awareness on the waste issue and the 3Rs approach.
The municipality of Ulaanbaatar is planning to demolish a considerable
number of old buildings. However, there are no certified companies in
Mongolia with experience in the demolition process and the demolition
regulations do not refer to the waste management issue or provide
guidelines on waste recovery, and sorting and segregation arrangements
including for hazardous waste.
The recycling sector in Mongolia is growing . However, there is a lack of
knowledge and no standards for high-grade material recovery.
Furthermore, the SMEs in this sector face obstacles in marketing their
products and in their access to finance.
The Objectives
The action will support SMEs working in the construction sector to
increase their use of environmentally-friendly technologies and practices
(Introducing technical innovations in recycling of C&D waste tailored to
the Mongolian context), and to become more resource-efficient, to
develop cleaner production and to adopt the 3Rs approach (Greening the
waste supply chain from the design to the demolition phase). The action
will support access to finance for SMEs involved in 3R activities and
assist them to partner with other SMEs and financial institutions in order
to enhance their position in the market. Furthermore, the action will build
on existing political initiatives to strengthen the legal framework related
to C&D waste management and 3Rs approach.
SWITCH-ASIA
“Improving resource-efficiency and cleaner production in the
Mongolian construction sector through materials recovery”
project
EuropeAid
MONGOLIA
Lead Partner
Caritas Czech Republic
(Czech Republic)
Partners
TU DELFT
(Nederland)
Mongolian National
Recycling Association
(Mongolia)
Mongolian University of
Science and Technology,
School of Civil Engineer and
Architecture
(Mongolia)
Economic Policy and
Competitiveness Research
Center
(Mongolia)
Contact details
Mr.Thibault Chapoy
thibault.chapoy@caritas.cz
+976 9597 5509
EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
EuropeAid

2. The way forward
 Conduct study of C&D waste management practices, design
training materials, conduct training for different target groups,
develop university curriculum for C&D waste management
(Design of a Massive online open course).
 A certification system of Competence for Demolition Operatives
will be established based on the “Smart Demolition” training
materials
 A study based on the mass flow analysis of C&D waste materials
in Mongolia has been carried out
 Conduct research on construction waste recycling applications,
develop the standards and introduce the findings and products to
the targeted SMEs.
 A set of standards has been approved and a list of recommended
additions to the Mongolian standards regulatory framework has
been made
 A R&D plan on recycling applications has been introduced by
MUST university to business entities
 Marketing and awareness-raising activities on products made of
C&D waste, to support sustainable consumption.
 Facilitate access to finance for recycling SMEs.
 Advocacy activities to improve the legal framework and
overcome obstacles faced by SMEs.
Illegal disposal site in Ulaanbaatar
Associates
Construction Development
Center
(Mongolia)
Mongolian Agency of
Standardisation and
Metrology
(Mongolia)
Mongolian Bankers
Association/European Bank
of Reconstruction and
Development
(Mongolia)
National Integrated Centre
for Construction
Development
(Mongolia)
Tuul River Basin Authority
(Mongolia)
EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
Project Duration:3/2016 – 2/2020 (48 month)
Total Budget:€ 1,562,500 (EU contribution: 80%)