Construction and Demolition Waste

Why more Reclaimed Materials Should Be Used Materials used for constructing houses frequently cause some environmental pollution during their production. Quarries can damage landscape, wood can come from unsustainable sources, metals use a lot of energy in production, PVC production produces atmospheric pollution, and so on. Reclaimed materials and products made from recycled material, are likely to cause less environmental damage than new products and can also reduce refuse and land fill. Many housing sites already use hardcore from demolished buildings but there are a whole range of other lesser known products that can be used in the "recycled house". By using them, we can: Save energy Reduce landfill Reduce transport distances Conserve natural resources Reduce pollution What is Cconcrete made of? Concrete consists of approximately 54% gravel, 26% sand, 13% cement and 7% water. Quarrying of gravel and to a lesser extent sand have ecological implications because of their impact on landscapes, often in areas of natural beauty, and the impact of transport and waste disposal operations. Cement is manufactured from lime with added sand and clay, it is a very energy-intensive process since firing temperatures of up to 2000 degrees Celsius are required. This process also releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and is therefore a contributor to global warming. The use of recycled aggregate made from crushed brick and concrete is possible in casting of concrete slabs for house foundations. In parking spaces, crushed concrete can replace up to 20% of the gravel. Lightweight pre-cast concrete blocks made from cement, sand and lime are a widely used structural material and can contain a large proportion of PFA (Pulverised Fuel Ash). This is a waste material from power-stations burning fossil fuels