VBHC has made conscious choices towards sustainable development in all aspects of the project. Social and economic factors have been considered as the key drivers in evolving processes and adopting innovations to achieve sustainability. Four broad principles have been evolved to guide sustainable development in our projects in a mutually balanced manner.

1. Managing water resources in a responsible manner
2. Managing and creating ‘wealth from waste’ in the community
3. Reducing the overall energy consumption for the development
4. Building a community aware of its responsibility towards sustainability

These principles will be adhered to all through the project, from planning to construction and community building.

For the VBHC Vaibhava project, it is estimated that the daily demand for water will be 1278 cubic metres (cu.m.) Responsible fresh water usage forms the cornerstone of VBHC's water management plans. VBHC has initiated several innovations aimed at water conservation, to achieve a 52% reduction in fresh water use, without impacting the lifestyle of the residents in any manner.

Water Management at VBHC - A glance

1. Metering of fresh water use results in a minimum of 10% savings in fresh water consumption.

2. Water efficient fixtures result in 34% savings in fresh water consumption.

3. Treated water from the STP will be reused for flushing, landscaping and car washing, which accounts for more than 20% of total water requirement.

4. Rainwater harvesting will supply about 4% of total fresh water needs.

5. Fresh water use in the VBHC community will be 53% lower than a typical residential project in India. Energy used in handling water will be at least 75% lower when compared to using municipal water.

Water use and savings due to various initiatives

Savings due to Water Management Intervention implemented at VBHC (Figures in thousands of litres per day)

Waste Management

A project of the size of Vaibhava will generate about 5 tons of waste every day. Appropriate disposal of such waste is critical for the health and hygiene of the community. Keeping this in mind, the process of receiving, segregating and disposing waste has been meticulously planned in Vaibhava. There is a comprehensive plan in place to handle 100% of the waste on site, with very little going to landfills.

Segregation at Source

Biogas Plant Disposal of Organic (Wet) Waste

5. In addition, 720 tonnes of landfill can be avoided, thus reducing 420 tonnes Green House Gas (GHG) emissions each year.

Recycling of Inorganic (Dry) Waste

Inorganic waste that is generated every day will be further segregated if needed and disposed to the various recycling units in the city.

Early Management

VBHC projects will have comprehensive energy conservation measures in place. Identifying the uses of energy in our daily lives and systematically finding ways to reduce the requirement, without compromising on our lifestyle, form the basis of our approach to energy conservation.

Building Design/Site Planning Features

Using Alternative Material in Construction

Composite doors (made of eco-friendly wood substitutes) have been used in the homes. These doors have lower embedded energy content, even as they retain all the structural and aesthetic properties of wood based doors.

Renewable Energy - Solar and Electrical Systems

Biogas Plant Based on Organic Waste

Organic waste will be used as fuel for the biogas plant, to produce about 110,000 units of electricity in a year to offset part of the power needed for common utilities.

Innovative Sewage Treatment Plant

The modified DEWATS sewage treatment plant which is being adopted in Vaibhava uses no chemicals, very little mechanical equipment and will reduce power consumption by almost 80%! As a result, operation and maintenance costs are much lower, as compared to conventional sewage treatment technologies. Innovative vortex technology will make the system compact and treat sewage to the high standards required.