Five Benefits of Using Recycled Aggregates

No matter the type of material you use in construction, there is always going to be an element of waste. When sand, asphalt, gravel and stone are all used in construction, there is often large quantities leftover that will usually require disposal, continuing our over reliance on landfills for waste disposal.

Today, a new method has been implemented to reduce this level of waste, whereby all leftover materials are simply crushed and mixed together to create a legal aggregate compound for use in various construction projects. These are known as recycled aggregates. Typically, recycled aggregates are much better for the environment than traditional materials and are a worthy consideration for your potential construction project. Here, we look at the main benefits of using recycled aggregates:

Eco-Friendly

As with any recycled product, using recycled aggregates helps avoid the use of landfills, reducing the pollution and environmental impact of waste disposal. The reprocessing of aggregates is critical in avoiding unnecessary waste disposal, ultimately repurposing materials for extended and recycled use. In particular, gravel mining is known to be quite harmful to the environment and dumping excess sand is considered unsuitable for landfills. The mining of recycled aggregates can and will reduce this environmental damage.

Cost-Effective

Repurposing aggregates is a low-cost affair, especially in comparison with the cost of purchasing brand new materials. As technology has improved, so too has the process of recycling, allowing for increased recycling at a lower cost without the need to compromise on quality.

Durable

Recycled aggregates are no less durable or effective than freshly quarried materials, and are perfect for making effective bases, fillers and drainage. If your aggregates are well-sourced and processed by professionals, you can be safe in the knowledge that the quality is high.

Versatile

Used frequently across many industries and for many varying projects, recycled aggregates are often used as fillers for drainage systems and for creating air separation, as well as being mixed into concrete for foundations and other projects on the construction site. Anywhere you would usually use sand or gravel, you can use recycled options instead.



Preserve Resources

Due to the use of recycled aggregates, it means that no new materials will need to be mined or collected, therefore maintaining the quarries natural resources for much longer. This will ensure future generations will still have access to the necessary resources for decades to come. This will also result in less energy being used to quarry, transport and process fresh materials.

William Thompson & Son have been the proud suppliers of high-quality aggregates for almost 70 years. Our quarry in the heart of Dumbarton has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the leading suppliers of gravel, sand and stone products, recycled aggregate and landfill specialists in Lanarkshire. Contact us today for more information.