The construction industry is responsible for the consumption of approximately 75% of the planet's natural resources. Many of these finite resources are disposed of in large quantities to supply the markets.
In addition to exploitation, the large amount of waste generated on construction sites is worrying, both on-site and in demolitions and remodelling. The fate given to this garbage is another key factor, as they are placed often in containers that end up in landfills without a suitable destination. Overloading public sanitation systems and generating the emergence of informal disposal sites.
However, if care is taken, this waste can have great potential for reuse. If given the proper destination and processing. The recycled materials can replace others that would be extracted from the deposits, becoming raw materials for new building components. Also, the experts at construction material recycle Edmonton says these recycle materials have almost the same quality an original products.
What is Recycle process?
Recycle is the method involved with reusing disposed of materials to once again introduce them into their creation cycle. This reduces the utilization of raw materials, diminishes the absolute volume of waste. It can even create jobs or occupations for a huge number of individuals.
Construction material recycles
To begin with, it is essential to have an efficient system of separation and collection. It minimizes the problem of clandestine deposition. Generally two main classes, the first refers to concrete, ceramics, stones, and mortars, which account for most of the debris. The other class refers to wood, metals, glass, plastics, dyes, among others.
Steel
Manufacturing steel is possible from the combination of iron and coal, heated in a blast furnace, or through scrap recycling, using electric furnaces. Its recycling dates back to the Roman Empire when soldiers took advantage of the instruments of war left in the trenches to produce new artefacts. Steel can be transformed infinitely into new materials without losing its quality. Electricity utilization in recycling is 80% lower for the creation of raw material. It causes a lower ecological effect and stays away from the extraction of new unrefined substances.
Concrete
Concrete recycling allows the reuse of debris, also reducing construction costs. For the recycling of hardened concrete, a special crusher is used, which produces the so-called "recycled aggregates". Until recently the recycled concrete was only used as subsoil however there is evidence to show that the aggregate can create structural elements of compressive strength of between 30 and 40 MPa (Megapascal). It is important to note that recycled aggregates are lighter per unit volume, between 10% and 15% less than products from virgin quarries, which means less weight per cubic meter. This results in the reduction of the costs of the material itself, its transportation, and the overall costs of the project.
Wood
The use of "demolition woods" is quite popular. Hardwoods can keep going for many years if appropriately kept up with. We can use this in large structural parts. Also, you can use these as slats for the manufacture of other artefacts. The most well-known choice today is the finished crushing of the material for the production of MDF sheets.
Another option, if it is not possible to apply any of the above processes, is to remove wood waste for biomass production, through its burning in industrial furnaces.
Plaster
Recycling wood in construction is feasible. But this material can emit hydrogen sulphide, flammable, and highly toxic. It can contaminate the soil and groundwater. However, if shipped to suitable companies, recycled plasters retain the same physical and mechanical characteristics as conventional dry cast at a relatively low cost.
EPS (Expanded Polystyrene)
You can also recycle expanded polystyrene or EPS material. It can become raw material for the manufacture of new plastic products when crushed and compacted. According to the professionals at construction material recycle Edmonton, it can become objects for finishes or even paintings.
Glass
Although glass bottles and containers are highly recyclable, this is not the case with glass used in windows. Each glass has diverse compound structures and softening temperatures, so they can't be reused together. However, there is the option of melting and remanufacturing the glass to turn it into fiberglass, and thus incorporate it into the asphalt and even combine it in reflective, yellow, and white paints. Moreover, broken glass can be joined with cement to make rock floors and ledges, for instance, Zinc, aluminium, bundling, and materials.
Many other materials can be reused and recycled. Of course, there are also substances such as asbestos, latex paints, chemical solvents, adhesives, and lead-based paints, which must be treated carefully to reduce their impact on the environment. With the growing concern to increase sustainability in construction, thinking about the complete life cycle of materials becomes vital.
In addition to reducing the appearance of landfills in clandestine sites and relieving pressure on landfills, recycling can reduce costs for both the environment and the consumer.
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