Green Construction: Materials That Are Easy To Recycle

Posted on: 22 September 2022

Every construction project generates a lot of waste. In fact, construction and demolition projects account for a good chunk of all waste generated in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), construction and demolition debris represented about 23 percent of all waste generated in the U.S. in 2018, totaling around 600 million tons.

Fortunately, many construction materials can be easily recycled. Read on to learn more about a few of these materials.

Asphalt

Also known as blacktop, asphalt is the sticky substance that binds together gravel and sand to form a solid surface. It's commonly used in construction projects to pave roads, driveways, and parking lots.

Asphalt can be recycled through a process known as cold in-place recycling (CIR). CIR involves grinding up existing asphalt pavement and using it as a base for new asphalt pavement. This process not only recycles construction waste but also reduces the need for new materials, which helps save money and conserve resources.

CIR is an excellent option for construction companies looking to be more sustainable. Not only does it help to reduce waste, but it can also extend the life of a pavement due to its resistance to cracking and other forms of deterioration.

Asphalt shingles are another construction material that can be recycled. These shingles are usually a mixture of asphalt and other materials like fiberglass or paper. They're commonly used as roofing materials due to their durability and weather-resistant properties.

Asphalt shingles can be recycled into new asphalt pavement, new roofing materials, or even used as construction filler. Recycling asphalt shingles helps reduce construction waste and can be a cost-effective solution for construction companies.

If you're interested in recycling asphalt shingles, be sure to talk to your local construction recycling center about the best way to do this. They can also answer any questions you may have about CIR or other construction recycling options.

Concrete

Concrete is a construction material made of cement, water, sand, and gravel. It's commonly used to create foundations, walls, floors, and driveways.

Recycled concrete can be used as aggregate in new concrete or other construction projects. It can also be used as a fill material or pavement base because of its strong, durable, and weather-resistant properties.

Concrete recycling facilities take construction waste and process it into new construction materials. They use unique processes and machinery to remove contaminants like rebar and other metals so that the recycled concrete can be used in new construction projects. Some facilities may also accept other construction materials like asphalt, brick, and glass.

Recycling concrete helps to reduce construction waste, conserve resources, and save money. Be sure to explore this option if you are conscious of construction sustainability. 

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