Recycling and Reusing Concrete

Not everyone realizes that you can recycle concrete. In fact, there are a multitude of uses for recycled concrete. Recycling concrete also helps cut back on construction waste and is a great way to save on certain fees. The concrete recycling process itself is quite interesting, and typically involves crushing or pulverizing old materials through the use of specialized tools. Read on if you’re interested in learning about ways to recycle and reuse concrete.

The concrete recycling process

So, what is involved in concrete recycling? As mentioned above, concrete is usually recycled through crushing or pulverizing the old material. The first step involves using specialized equipment to crush the largest pieces of concrete. Then, any dirt, debris or other contaminants are removed from the crushed concrete. The concrete will then be separated into larger and smaller pieces.

The concrete recycling process utilizes several specialized tools, including portable crushers, hydraulic stands and more. Most of the time, electromagnets or air separator systems are used to remove steel from the concrete.

Reasons to recycle concrete

As mentioned above, one of the best benefits of recycling concrete is that it helps cut back on construction waste. This will, in turn, help keep concrete out of landfills. Recycling concrete also helps preserve natural resources by preventing the need to mine for materials to make gravel and similar products. In fact, recycling one ton of cement could help save over 1,000 gallons of water.

In addition to being great for the environment, recycling concrete can help save a construction business plenty of money on builders’ disposal and tipping fees. It can also help increase job opportunities and decrease costs spent on buying new raw materials. This is especially helpful these days, as many raw material prices are at an all-time high. If you’re looking to help the environment and save some money, consider recycling your concrete.

Ways to use recycled concrete

We’ve already touched on several uses for recycled concrete. However, there are so many that it’s hard to cover them all! For example, recycled concrete makes for a great bed foundation material. This is especially true when it comes to covering utility trenches, as crushed concrete can assist with drainage. While many people use gravel to cover their utility trenches, crushed concrete works just as well.

Another great use for crushed concrete is as paving for driveways, walkways, sidewalks and more. Crushed concrete creates a permeable surface, which can assist in the filtration of rainwater. Crushed concrete is also often used as an aggregate when mixing new concrete. Other great ways to use recycled concrete include controlling erosion, filling wire cages for retaining walls, creating a base for asphalt paving and much more. Recycled concrete has even been used to help restore some of the ocean’s reef habitats.

As you can see, concrete recycling is a great option for any business. Contact the experts at Klumm Bros. if you’re in need of any concrete crushing, removal or recycling services. We offer all our services at competitive prices, and will always take care of your needs quickly and efficiently.

Categorised in: Concrete Crushing, Recycling