4 Construction Materials That Can Be Recycled from Waste
Construction and demolition projects typically generate a significant amount of waste in the form of materials like concrete, wood, metals, plastics, and other debris. However, not all of these materials need to go to a landfill.
You can recycle the construction materials from waste and reuse them with the right processing. This eliminates the need for purchasing new bags of materials and also saves money.
Construction waste statistics highlight just how much material ends up discarded on most sites, often far more than is reused. By focusing on recycling wherever possible, you can significantly reduce the amount of waste heading to landfills.
This also supports wider sustainability goals, which can be crucial if your project needs to meet strict eco-friendly standards. What’s more, many recycled materials provide equal durability and quality as virgin aggregates, so you won’t be compromising on aggregate quality either.
In this blog, we’ll go over examples of waste materials and which construction materials from waste can be recycled to help you reduce waste in construction and deliver a high-quality build.
1. Concrete
Concrete is one of the most common materials recycled from construction waste. After being broken down concrete can be crushed into smaller pieces that can be used as a subbase or mixed with new aggregates.
It is one of the most widely demanded composite materials in the construction industry, as it can be used in a variety of applications, such as foundations, road bases, driveways, drainage systems, and more.
As long as you ensure that the recycled concrete is clean and processed properly by your supplier, reusing this construction material from waste can yield great results while being an efficient option, both for cost and project quality.
2. Brick
Old bricks from demolition sites can be crushed and reused in various ways. For instance, crushed brick makes a good bulk fill, especially on non-structural groundwork projects.
Brick also blends well with other recycled aggregates to create a stable subbase layer, as it adds texture when used in landscaping or as a decorative fill. Due to their porous nature, they help improve drainage when mixed into subbase materials, reducing water pooling and helping maintain a solid base.
Recycled bricks can be a great choice for projects that require a warm, natural tone to blend in with the environment. If you plan on using recycled bricks for pathways, garden beds, or decorative borders, just make sure they’re free from contaminants like paint or mortar to get the best results.
3. Asphalt
Asphalt from old roads and driveways can be crushed and reused as a strong, flexible subbase. It’s ideal for withstanding heavy loads, making it ideal for many landscaping projects.
Mixing recycled asphalt with new asphalt materials also increases the durability and longevity of your build, as it adds a thick layer that improves surface stiffness and reduces the probability of any cracking.
Recycled asphalt offers a practical way to reduce waste in construction while maintaining the strength and resilience your project needs. We recommend using this aggregate for any groundwork jobs that need to stand the test of time.
4. Hardcore & Mixed Rubble
Hardcore includes a variety of leftover rubble such as tiles, ceramics, and mixed demolition waste. Once crushed, this material can be reused for bulk fill or temporary haul roads.
Hardcore fill is a rough and ready mixture of aggregates, making it useful for many groundwork jobs. They fill gaps fast and compact well, especially when layered with finer materials on top.
For larger sites where clean separation of materials isn’t always possible, recycled rubble offers a simple way to keep things moving without wasting usable aggregates.
Contact Middleton Aggregates for Quality Recycled Aggregates
Now you know the benefits of recycling construction materials from waste and which ones can be recycled in the first place, you may be looking for a reliable supplier of recycled materials. That’s where Middleton Aggregates may be able to help you.
At Middleton Aggregates, we supply a wide range of durable aggregates and fill materials for various construction and landscaping projects. We also offer a plant hire service to meet all your construction needs.
Operating from Blackborough End, King’s Lynn, we serve Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and the wider UK. Our team of industry experts is always available to provide you with the best advice on any questions you may have.
For more information on our products and services, visit our website or contact us to find out more.
