What Are The Benefits of Using Recycled Aggregates?
We all know the benefits of recycling our household waste, and sorting our used glass, tins, plastics and paper from general waste should now be second nature. But there’s a lot more to recycling than sorting domestic waste, much of it going on in sectors we may not immediately consider. One of those is the construction industry.
This month, we’re taking a closer look at the subject of recycled aggregates, how they’re used in construction – and, most importantly, why they’re such a good idea.
What are recycled aggregates?
Recycled aggregates are usually created by crushing concrete that is produced when demolishing buildings, roads, bridges and the like. Such waste concrete is usually crushed on the site where the demolition took place, so that it can be loaded into a truck and transported straight to a recycling centre ready for future use. Another source of recycled aggregates are tarmac planings, which are created when worn road surfaces are stripped prior to resurfacing.
1 Environmental benefits
The first and probably the most important benefit of using recycled aggregates is to the environment and there are two distinct ways in which this occurs.
Firstly, if you’re using recycled aggregates, you’re not having to create new aggregates, which would otherwise need to be dug out of the earth. Secondly, when you’re using recycled aggregates, you’re preventing that concrete or tarmac waste from going into landfill. Those two factors mean that the carbon footprint of construction projects using secondary aggregates is considerably less than using new ones.
2 Cost benefits
It naturally follows that, if you’re eliminating the need to mine new materials for aggregates, and you’re reusing waste material that you would otherwise have had to spend time and money disposing of, the overall cost is going to be appreciably lower. In the US, some states have reported savings of approximately 50% to 60% as a result of using recycled rather than new aggregates1.
3 Durability
Many manufactured products undergo degradation the more they are used, so that the more you recycle plastic, for example, the less durable the finished article. That’s not the case with aggregates – recycled crushed concrete has been shown to be just as reliable structurally as brand new aggregates.
Versatility
Recycled aggregates have a number of practical applications in the construction industry, including cement, general bulk fill, roadbuilding, pavements, embankments, and fill for drainage structures. Meanwhile, they can also be used for a number of domestic projects, such as garden paths, filling in borders or creating a barrier around a garden pond.
Here at Essex Aggregates, we understand that our planet’s resources need to be carefully managed and that you need the best quality aggregates at the best possible price. That’s why our recycled aggregates are such a great idea. To make things even better for you, our recycled aggregates are also available with same or next day delivery. Use our online calculator to work out how much you’re likely to need and then call, or email our friendly team to place your order.