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REUSABLE BUILDING
MATERIALS
Recycling
• Recycling is the reprocessing of materials into new products
• Recycling prevents useful material resources from being wasted, reduces the
consumption of raw materials and reduces energy usage, and hence lesser greenhouse
gas emissions, compared to virgin production.
• Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component
of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Recycling Building Materials
Most materials from building and construction sites can be recycled. The following list
demonstrates some reuse options.
Steel: Electric arc furnaces produce reinforcing bar, mesh and sections from 100% steel
scrap.
Bricks and Tiles: Can be reused where appropriate or crushed onsite for backfill, aggregate
and gravel with portable crushing plants
Concrete: Unset concrete can be “washed” out at the plant to remove cement. Sand and
stone can be reused. Set concrete can be crushed and recycled as aggregate for new concrete
on road base and fill.
Glass: Most glass is recyclable. Construction glass must be separated from other glass such
as drink bottles. Glass maybe cut and reused or recycled as aggregate for concrete.
Plastics: Many plastic can be granulated and reused to make plastic products for use within
the building industry.