Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with Recycled Aggregates
Sand, gravel, and stone are all aggregates that are often used when mixing concrete or in other building applications. It may not sound like this is a huge expenditure of carbon, since you can find rocks and sand everywhere. However, it does need to be dug up and processed so builders can use it and that requires the use of fossil fuels in a variety of applications.
Fortunately, if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and stay eco-friendly in your construction, there are recycled aggregates that can be used.
What Are Recycled Aggregates?
The traditional method of disposing of all the aggregate left from a major construction site was to dump it in the landfill. When a building was demolished, all the rubble was also thrown out. Not only did this mean the aggregates used fuel and such to create them, but they were also then added to the landfill and this increased their carbon footprint.
Today, we have another option. The old aggregate is reprocessed by crushing and then grading the pieces to ensure it fits the needs of construction projects. It’s estimated that out of the 200 million tonnes of aggregates used in the UK annually, just over a quarter are recycled.
The Benefits of Using Recycled Aggregates
Aside from the environmental benefits of using recycled products in your building project, there are quite a few other reasons to consider using these.
Save Money: Recycling costs less than producing from scratch. There is the added advantage of recycled aggregate being more cost-effective than paying the tax when hauling the rubble to the landfill.
Long-Lasting: Recycled aggregate is great for the environment, but it also allows you to create long-lasting end products. Since these are substances like concrete, sand, and stone, there’s no loss of integrity when you recycle them.
Reduce Pressure on Landfills: When you recycle things like concrete and bricks, it relieves the pressure on the landfills where these items would normally end up. This means it’s even more eco-friendly!
Use Anywhere: Whether you’re landscaping, mixing concrete or mortar, or using gravel and sand in other projects, you can replace it with the recycled version. These materials are remarkably versatile.
Every construction site requires the use of gravel, stone and sand, and since there is literally no difference in the end result, why not try recycled aggregates? Reduce your carbon footprint in a way that no one will even notice.
Ready to incorporate recycled products into your construction? William Thompson & Son has plenty to offer! Find out more today.
