Facts About Recycling Concrete

Old concrete can become part of new structures.

Demolishing old buildings often results in huge piles of broken concrete to be hauled to a landfill. However, you don't have to throw old concrete away. It can be reused or recycled to make walkways, walls and even new structures.

Urbanite

The simplest way to repurpose old, broken concrete is to use it like stone. Popularly called "urbanite," broken pieces of concrete make good walkways, firepits, flower beds and patios. This material can be set in mortar or simply stacked, and is non-toxic and long-lasting.

Large-Scale Recycling

In addition to simple reuse at home, concrete also works for large-scale recycling. Crushed concrete works as aggregate in new concrete and other structural materials. It can be used in roads and new buildings.Planners for the 2012 Olympic Games in London intend to use recycled concrete, according to the Concrete Network.

Steel Removal

Recycling concrete from roads and large structures often means taking reinforcing steel out of the material. Most current concrete recycling programs still rely on hand labor to remove mesh and rebar from the concrete. This steel can then be recycled conventionally.

References

• Concrete Network: Recycling Concrete
• Concrete Network: Recycled Concrete at the 2012 Olympics; Sarah Tate
• Concrete Network: Urbanite: Repurposing Old Concrete; Sarah Tate