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.