Concrete Recycling 101: Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Recycling Your Concrete

Cities are built on concrete. Every time a new building goes up, concrete is poured. And every time an old building is knocked down, that concrete comes with it. That used concrete has to go somewhere, and unfortunately, some of it ends up being trashed. But there’s some good news: the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) estimated in 2010 that 140 million tons of concrete were recycled each year in the U.S. But what happens during the recycling process, and how can that recycled concrete be used?

What Happens During the Concrete Recycling Process? 

Many concrete recycling facilities offer easy ways for contractors to recycle. Most facilities allow customers to bring it by themselves, have it sent to the facility, or have it dropped into a recycling container for pick-up. Once it reaches the recycling facility, it’s sorted into grades based on its characteristics, and any steel that’s still mixed in will be separated during this time. Once sorted, the recycling company crushes it, screens it based on size, and then sorts it again based on what uses it might have. This new material is called either recycled concrete aggregate or crushed concrete aggregate, depending on the size of the particles and the materials of which it is composed.

What Benefits Come With Recycling Concrete?

Just like the recycling of paper and plastics, recycling concrete diverts it away from landfills. Companies who use recycled concrete in their projects help to preserve the earth’s natural stockpiles of gravel and limestone, which in turn helps save energy, time, and money on removing and transporting those natural stockpiles. Additionally, builders who recycle concrete from the initial demolition (when demolition is necessary) and then use recycled concrete in the new construction process may be eligible for LEED certification.

How Is Recycled Concrete Used?

There are a number of practical uses for recycled concrete, ranging from new construction projects to DIY-type projects by homeowners. Small pieces of broken-down concrete are a fantastic alternative to gravel as drainage material in wet areas. Recycled concrete also works very well for creating retaining walls in sloped areas, helping to contain erosion. The broken pieces of concrete can be used to create new paths and outdoor walkways, and creative DIY types have even used larger pieces to create raised garden beds to make gardening easier on the elderly and people with disabilities or limited mobility. They do this by stacking the concrete in layers with the smooth edges facing outward until the desired height is reached. They then create the garden beds on top of the stacked concrete. There are dozens of other practical uses for recycled concrete in everything from state DOT projects to rip-rap rocks for shoreline preservation on local lakes.

To learn more about concrete recycling services and how we can help you meet your recycling goals, contact Yannuzzi Group at 908.218.0880.

Project Spotlight: East and Davies Halls at Blair Academy

Yannuzzi Group proudly contributed demolition services to East and Davies Halls at Blair Academy, a private, co-ed boarding high school in Blairstown, NJ. This job presented unique challenges to Yannuzzi Group, as demolition needed to be completed in a short period of time while minimizing disruption to students, faculty, and staff on campus.

A Rich History 

East and Davies Halls have long been a part of Blair Academy’s history, which dates back to the school’s founding as an all-boys school in 1848. It wasn’t until nearly 40 years later, though, that East Hall was built; it served as a gymnasium until 1911, when it was converted into a dormitory. Davies Hall was also transformed into a dorm that year, although it was originally built to house a swimming pool. But eventually, the last of East and Davies Halls' occupants graduated, ending more than a century of tradition.

The Yannuzzi Group Demolition

All good things must come to an end, and Yannuzzi Group performed demolition on the two historic buildings after performing asbestos abatement on both halls. Yannuzzi Group had to do things a bit differently than with most jobs; school was still in session, and students and faculty were milling about, curious as to what would become of the site where these beloved dorms stood. Demolition was to be completed quickly, with special care taken to keep all workers, students, and staff safe. The entire site was fenced off, and because demolition dust needed to be avoided, Yannuzzi Group used dust-free demolition practices to be sure dirt, dust, and debris didn’t spread or disrupt students and staff.

Blair Academy also wanted to offer alumni and staff each a souvenir of their days at East and Davies in the form of a brick from the original structures. Yannuzzi Group takes great care to recycle building materials to have a positive impact on the environment. Those recycling practices had to be modified to separate the thousands of bricks from the remaining material to preserve a piece of history for those who had lived it.

The Dawn of a New Era

Demolition and cleanup were completed after a month, and crews set to work laying the foundation of Blair Academy’s future. The Center for Innovation and Collaboration has replaced the old dorms, and it serves as the home for the technology and fine arts departments. The exterior architecture offers a throwback to the old buildings, but the inside is filled with meeting spaces, a café, and classrooms filled with state-of-the-art technology.

The future for Blair Academy looks bright, and Yannuzzi Group is proud to have been part of the journey. To learn more about this project or our demolition services, call us at 908-218-0880.