A Guide to Concrete Recycling

In the early stages of a construction project, concrete recycling can make all the difference.

Foundations like sidewalks, driveways, and other structures made of concrete can be recycled. However, it’s not as simple as the recycling you might do daily.

Concrete recycling means crushing or pulverizing the rubble entirely. There are also different methods depending on the shape and size of the concrete.

Don’t waste valuable material during a project. Let’s cover the ins and outs of concrete recycling and how the process works.

How Does Concrete Recycling Happen?

Concrete is broken up through the use of large equipment, jaws, and impactors. These industrial machines are designed to pummel through the concrete with ease.

Once it’s broken up enough, the concrete will run through another secondary impactor to crush it down more.

Sifting and screening the concrete is important to get out dirt and other particles. This process also means the sorting and separation of large and small aggregate. Some elements may need to be removed by way of additional separators, magnets, and other devices.

Property Benefits

Reducing waste at a demolition site is always an important goal.

When you take the time to recycle concrete, you extend the life of landfills and save builders additional costs.

Transportation is usually needed when dealing with concrete removal. During the concrete recycling process, this fee is eliminated.

Some builders can even receive LEED Green Building certification points by recycling instead of removing. This is an important task for some builders to make the most of the costs and their business.

Future Recycled Uses

So what’re the uses after concrete recycling.

Although it won’t be the same as it was before, recycled concrete has similar uses. It can be used as gravel, paving materials, and even aggregates.

Permeable paving is great for walkways, driveways, and other outdoor surfaces. Recycled concrete is also great for an asphalt base. This process is called rubblization and a great way to make use of recycled material.

The uses can even expand to the landscaping space as a mulch of sorts. It replaces most gravel options when crushed to the right size.

There have been some concerns with concrete recycling. There have been some potentially negative environmental impacts that are readily mitigated in planning design considerations. This includes the use of conventional BMPs and other implementable construction controls.

Make the Most of the Material

When it comes to saving money and reusing material, concrete recycling is an excellent option.

There are endless uses, benefits, and processes that can help individuals use recycled concrete effectively. Make sure you remove concrete the right way by recycling.

The same can be said with plenty of other commercial and industrial processes. Don’t let lack of information lead you astray.

Our website is full of blogs and helpful information to make sure you’re making the most of the material. Don’t see what you need? No problem. Reach out to us and we’ll add it to our site.

You never know what you might find or learn. Keep reading for the more helpful material.