How to Use Recycled Concrete as Garden Pavers

Recycling materials is one way to help our environment by reducing the amount of debris that go into our landfills. One project you can do is to reuse old or broken down concrete that came from your own or a friend's concrete patio.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovel
• Rake
• Spray paint (in bright color) or white powder
• weed barrier (ex: plastic)
• Sand
• Pieces of concrete in different sizes and shapes
• ground cover plants

1. Break down old or damaged existing concrete patio if you have any.

2. Collect broken down pieces from a building or site that is being demolished. Collect enough pieces that you can use as pavers. For added interest, choose different sizes and shapes.

3. Find a location to put your concrete pavers. Lay out a plan on the soil by marking each location with paint spray or white powder.

4. Clean the area in your garden where you will lay down the recycled concrete. Remove debris and prepare the soil.

5. Dig a shallow hole using a shovel about 3 inches deep about an inch bigger in diameter than that of each paver to use.

6. Place a weed barrier.

7. Add sand and even out using a rake.

8. Put the broken pieces of concrete.

9. Test for stability by stepping and rocking side to side to prevent people from toppling or falling over. If the paver is wobbly fill-in additional sand until the paver is even and stable.

10. Water using a garden hose to clean the paver surface of any loose soil or mud. Finish off by adding some ground cover in between each steps.

Tips & Warnings

• You can create a patio using broken pieces of reclaimed concrete, install them as you would a flagstone.
• You can aslo add a concrete stain that matches the exterior of your home to add more beauty to your garden.
• Use care when lifting heavy pieces so as not to hurt your back or hands and legs.