What Are Recycled Aggregates and How Are They Used?

You may have heard the term recycled aggregates and wondered what they are. Aggregates are materials that are added to concrete or used in landscaping such as sand or gravel. So how are these recycled?

What is Recycled Aggregate?

Any type of material that has been used in construction has some sort of waste. For example, sand, gravel, stone, and asphalt are all used in construction but they may be left over. In the past, these extras would be dumped in the landfill, making a bigger problem for waste processors. However, today, we have a better method.

The leftover materials are simply crushed and mixed to create a legal aggregate compound that can be used in building projects.

Why Use Recycled Aggregates?

Now that you understand that recycled aggregates are good for the environment, you should go out of your way to make them part of your construction project. Here are a few reasons to consider this:

They’re more cost-effective: Recycled aggregates are high quality yet low cost. If they’re produced nearby then you save on transport too. Since there are regulations covering them, these aggregates will be of the same high quality as those coming directly from the quarry.

They’re better for the environment: Using recycled products in your construction helps to reduce your carbon footprint and ensures you are doing what is best for the earth. Gravel mining can be quite harmful to the environment and dumping excess sand is not great for landfills either. You can help reduce this mining by using recycled aggregates.

Keep landfills for real rubbish: You can ensure that landfills are used less by reusing the aggregates that have already been mined. You will be able to save some land from being buried in rubbish and that’s always a good thing.

Overall, it makes sense to use recycled products for these reasons. They’re 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.

Now is a great time to start looking to become more sustainable and eco friendly with your building projects. This can start out as simply as providing a recycled option for your aggregate solutions and can expand across your construction site for the better.

Do you need some aggregates? Thompson Quarries offers new and recycled options for your aggregates. Contact us to learn more.