The construction industry, as well as the landscaping industry, use quite a bit of aggregates. From concrete mixing to laying paths and driveways, there are many uses for these bits of stone and other materials. Did you know that you can also get recycled aggregates?
Recycled aggregates are simply materials previously used for construction. They have been torn down for whatever reason and then crushed or smashed to create new pieces that can be filtered and sorted into sizes.
Over a quarter of the 200 million tonnes of construction aggregates that are used yearly in the UK are recycled. While there’s no requirement for this, it’s a good idea to try and use more recycling in your construction projects.
Recycled aggregates should become a part of your business, if for no other reason than the price. It costs less to use these types of aggregates because virgin materials cost more to make. You have to quarry the virgin materials, whereas the recycled options are only crushed from existing materials. It’s more cost-efficient to do this and the savings are passed on to the consumer.
In addition to lower costs, you should consider using the eco-friendlier version of crushed rock for the following benefits:
Your clients will be happy to hear that their project is being made with green products. This is better for the environment as these are materials that would otherwise be sent to the landfill. You are actually giving back to the environment by using recycled aggregates.
Just because the aggregate is recycled doesn’t mean it is less able than the virgin types. Studies have been carried out to determine if one is better than the other. The end result? Recycled aggregates are just as useful as regular aggregates and have the same structural durability. The studies also showed that it’s safe to use these mixes for your projects, both in the garden and in construction.
You can use this type of aggregate for anything you like. It can be mixed into concrete to make it stronger and more durable, used for drainage ditches, laid under paths or even utilised in your home improvements and in flower beds for landscaping. The versatility makes recycled aggregates a very popular choice.
Are you looking for a source of recycled aggregate? While many companies now sell it, you’ll find high-quality options at Hazell & Jefferies, where we offer greener solutions.
