Recycling of Construction Materials1
BRICKS AND BLOCKS4
WOOD5
STEEL5 GLASS...6
References7
Introduction
Common materials used in deconstruction, renovation, and demolition sites include wood, bricks and blocks, concrete, metals and glass. They may be discarded now, but they can still be reused and recycled into other products in many ways. Typically, disposal of construction wastes are done through recycling, incineration, and disposal (Ackerman and Gallagher, 2002, Ganiron, 2014a). The construction wastes have great potential for the mitigation of the environmental impacts as based upon the material’s life cycle (Knoeri et al, 2013).
Aim
This project deals with the process of recycling the pulled down wastes of construction into products that are still valuable. The aim of this project is to collect the processes of recycling these wastes and determine how they can be useful.
Objectives
This project deals with the recycling of construction materials with the following objective:
Methodology
The purpose of this project is to identify the materials that are considered waste and to find other means to make them useful. The process of recycling of construction wastes starts with the identification of materials. The following materials are considered as the top most materials: concrete, wood, steel, glass and bricks and blocks. This project reveals the uses after they have been utilized in construction works.
Concrete
Concrete are greatly used during constructions. Leftover concrete can be recycled by crushing them into very tiny pieces. Concrete recycling is very common such that there are already many recycling facilities for concrete found in the different parts of the world (Cochran, 2007). This concrete are then utilized to become fillers to landfills. Recycling concrete is beneficial since it is used to build roads, yards, parking, and streets. This concrete has better compaction density properties as compared to virgin concrete. It can thus be considered a non-renewable resource, since it is cost-efficient; it does not require disposal, and provides better truck utilization while reducing traffic (ASTM C-172-90, 2009 and Ganiron, 2013)
In addition, recycled concrete when used as the base material for roadways reduces pollution. Recycled concrete made into gravel is also used economically; it is beneficial as the need for gravel mining is reduced. There is no longer the need for the communities to pay for concrete waste fees (Ganiron, 2013f and Ganiron, 2015g).Reusing this product saves energy compared to mining and processing new aggregates. Transportation fee is also reduced and there will be no environmental damage. Concrete is an ideal construction material and makes the process of construction complete. Recycling concrete saves large amount of gallons water and this in turn, conserves the environment.
Bricks and Blocks
Bricks and blocks such as clay bricks, stones blocks, aerated blocks, and concrete precast can still be recycled and reused. These materials are most often found along walls, pavements, sewers, bridges, and many more. Recycled bricks can be useful just like the virgin bricks in construction environment. Bricks can still be utilized and used for the next projects.
Some of the uses for damaged blocks and bricks include landscaping, use as plant substrate, making aggregates for highways and general fills, production of new blocks and bricks, and making sports surfaces such as in tennis courts and athletic tracks (NiBusinessInfor, 2016). Brick recycling is environmentally friendly and an efficient building material that is durable and long lasting.
Wood
Wood is one of the major wastes coming from construction which comprise about 30% of the total wastes. Wood is very useful in various ways since it is a useful commodity in the community. Wood waste can be processed to produce biomass, feedstock as well as be combined to enable operation of power plants (Napier, 2012). Large pieces of wood are reduced into useable sizes using equipments such as hydraulic shears or compactor. Sorting process is done and grinding equipment put in place to produce particular fiber requirement and the product is available for sale. Recycled wood is in high demand to homeowners and architects.
Wood scraps collected from construction sites are processed to a Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) plant. In addition, it is also used as bedding material for animal and mulches. Recycled wood mixed with construction and demolition waste is used for making panel board. Woodchip is used in paths, and horse rides arenas. Biomass fuel is produced from wood amenity sites. Wood may also produce hazardous waste that require disposal and conserve the environment.
Steel
Steel is another common waste generated from construction. Steel is very useful as scrap due to its high intrinsic value. It can be recycled and formed into various products without disrupting its original quality. Most steel excess materials are large and can be diverted for other purposes. It has high economic value with a wide range of versatility for other purposes (SteelConstruction.info, nd). Steel does not rot or split therefore it is durable and highly dependable in its long time service.
Steel is 100 percent recyclable producing high quality products. Holding high weight ratio on any building material provides efficiency in steel during construction activities. Builders, architects and designers use steel since it provides the best material for innovation and creates sustainable designs. Many consumer goods are produced from steel recycling; such as, the automobiles industry, office equipments, fire hydrants, industrial tools, bridges and overpasses, and other products. Steel has a high value and it is recycled indefinitely without loss hence, economically sustainable providing cost effective solution in long term.
Glass
Glass is fully recyclable providing high quality products. Recycled glass reduces emissions and consumption of raw materials therefore, saving energy. Glass is used in making containers for food and beverages. In addition, it is also used in making windows in a building, ovenware and pyrex which serve as house equipment and appliances such as jars.
Manufacturing costs drops for every glass recycled therefore economically effective. Some glass bottles are returned to the manufacturers who melt and make a new packaging. Glass beverage bottles are sent back to the beverage company who sterilize, refill them again and distribute in the market.
References
Ackerman, F. and Gallagher, K. 2002. ‘Mixed Signals: Market incentives, recycling, and
the price spike of 1995’. Resourcces, Conservation and Recycling. Vol. 30., No. 4, pp 275-295.
ASTM C 172-90 2009. ‘Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete’. Annual Book
of ASTM, International Standard WorldWide; pp 190-455
Ganitron, TU. 2013. Sustainable Management of Waste Coconut Shells as Aggregates in Concrete Mixture. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review. Vol 61, pp 17-28
Ganitron, TU. 2013f. ‘Use of recycled glass bottles as fine aggregates in concrete mixture.’ Journal of Engineering Science and Technology. Vol 61, pp 17-28
Ganitron, TU. 2015g. ‘Exploring the emerging impact of Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3_ in Metro Manila’. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology., Vol 8, No. 1, pp 91-104
Ganitron, TU. 2015. ‘Recycling Concrete Debris from Construction and Demolition Waste. ‘International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology. Vol 77, pp 7-24
Ganitron, TU. 2014a.’Influence of polymer fiber on strength of concrete’. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology. Vol. 55, pp. 53-66
Ganitron, TU. 2014b. ‘The Effect of Waste Glass Bottles as an Alternative Coarse Aggregate in Concrete Mixture’. International Journal of ICT- aided Architecture and Civil Engineering . Vol 1, No. 2. Pp 19-30.
Knoeri, C, Sanye-Mengual, E., and Althaus, HJ. 2013. ‘Comparative LCA of recycled and conventional concrete for structural applications. Internation Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. Vol 18, No. 5, pp 909-918
Napier, T. 2012. ‘Construction Waste Management’. WBDG National Institute of Building sciences. Pp 77-109
Nibusinessinfor. 2016. ‘Recycling Construction Materials’. NiBuisnessInfo. Web. Accessed at https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/recycling-bricks-and-blocks-construction-projects
