It was noted that by 2025, the annual global used building materials are anticipated to exceed 2.2 billion tons. And in light of the increased importance placed on sustainability, the construction industry is looking for solutions to reduce its negative environmental effects.
Since high-quality used building materials have become more widely available in recent years, more and more businesses are choosing to invest in them.
What have used building materials?
Used building materials are any items used in construction before. You can also describe used building materials as products made from construction waste. Other terms synonymous are recycled building materials and construction and demolition wastes.
Types of Used Building Materials
Used building materials are being used to fulfill an increasing number of construction projects. These materials have several benefits that are both financial and environmental. There are several items to satisfy a variety of construction needs, such as:
Manufactured stone
Manufactured stone is made of aggregates and concrete and is frequently used as a building-facing material. Others use fly ash in the mixture to create the manufactured stone.
Cement
A repurposed cement can have both resistance and volume by combining it with water, aggregates, and other ingredients. As a result, creating a cement mixture with accelerated hardening and durability.
Topsoil
Topsoil is the collected dirt from building and demolition projects. Most companies screen the topsoil and process it by removing other debris, such as weeds and stones. Topsoil can be used for a variety of landscaping applications.
Masonry Blocks
Concrete and aggregate are used to make masonry blocks. Cement can be partially replaced by fly ash, silica fume, or slag cement.
Benefits of Using Used Building Materials
1. Durable and Extremely Effective
The durability of used building materials can be on par with that of new ones. Therefore, choosing something environmentally responsible and economically sensible should not imply compromising on quality or integrity.
Some used building materials perform significantly better than new or virgin resources, such as fly ash and slag cement. The two materials mentioned are utilized as supplementary cementitious materials in concrete.
Other industrial materials, like foundry sand, function in construction applications. Foundry sand application’s reduced weight of coal bottom ash utilized as bedding material for green roofs.
2. Reasonably Priced
Construction expenses are far from being cheap. Even the simplest tasks might look like financial monsters, even for a big construction company. But using used building materials can lower construction costs.
There is usually no need to spend additional money on materials because they are typically employed in applications where the finished product does not even reveal its presence. Recycled glass, concrete, wood, and steel are significantly less expensive than buying new ones. Construction companies can also recycle fittings, frequently outperforming new ones.
3. Lessen Emissions
The difference between new and used building material is the amount of emissions. Construction projects will generate fewer greenhouse gasses if it uses less energy.
Not using new materials uses less energy. New materials undergo mining, quarrying, and other methods of obtaining natural resources, creating a ton of greenhouse gasses. These activities have the potential to poison the ecosystem by releasing harmful chemicals and destroying crucial natural habitats, which could have a significant effect on the world as a whole.
A great example is the energy and greenhouse gas emissions related to cement production. The emissions are reduced when industrial waste, like coal fly ash, is used in place of portland cement in concrete.
4. Efficient Use of Energy
A construction project’s energy usage will be significantly reduced if you use used building materials completely or partially. The secret behind it is processing recycled building materials uses significantly less energy than new ones. For example, you will require less energy to use used building materials than to collect and transport new materials.
5. Reduces Construction Costs
Aside from being reasonably priced, used building materials can also reduce construction costs. There are different fees a construction company may pay after a building is erected. One great example is the waste levy. A waste levy is a tax imposed by the government on how much waste is going to landfills. Less waste, the lower the waste levy will be.
Homeowners can also benefit from used building materials. These building materials can be obtained for a lot less money than brand-new goods. They can be created or transported over a limited distance, lowering shipping costs.
6. Waste Reduction & Sustainable
Landfills have traditionally served as the final destination for building and demolition wastes. However, landfills have a detrimental effect on the ecology, poisoning nearby habitats and subsurface water.
Recycled building materials are considered a green initiative. Green initiatives are increasingly popular due to the recent rise in climate change awareness. Plus, there is a growing urgency of the need to protect the world.
Developers and construction firms are becoming more aware of the advantages of using used building materials. Reusing building materials lowers the carbon footprint of any construction project. For example, asphalt and concrete from sidewalks and parking lots are re-crushed to be applied to new projects.
7. Less Usage of Natural and Valuable Resources
Using used building materials means natural and valuable resources will not be wasted making new materials. Since many sectors are quickly depleting the world’s natural resource reserves, construction companies must keep materials from being thrown away when a building or structure is torn down.
Better Building by Using Used Building Materials
These are a few of the numerous benefits of using used building materials. Many construction companies should use these materials that are becoming increasingly popular to pursue greener practices. They can be certain that their decisions foster a more resourceful and accountable industry. As a result, it is much more likely to prosper in the long run.
References:
https://www.wallbarn.com/benefits-sustainable-building-materials/
https://www.ny-engineers.com/blog/recycling-construction-materials
https://www.recyclingbristol.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-using-recycled-building-materials/
https://www.billwarch.com/blog/top-3-benefits-of-using-recycled-building-materials/
https://civilengi.com/advantages-of-using-recycled-building-materials/
https://www.ataktrucking.com/using-recycled-construction-materials/