How Recycled Materials Shape Our Environmental Future

By: Evelyn Long

Construction’s glaring global environmental impact highlights some of the biggest potential to lower worldwide emissions and reduce landfills for good.

The average citizen may look upon a building and not realize all the natural resources that went into it. In modern construction, more of these projects contain recycled materials than they used to. Construction and buildings’ lifetime emissions are some of the most monumental concerns from an emissions perspective, so incorporating sustainably sourced components is critical for reducing impact. How does this look, and does it have as much of an impact as professionals think?

Current Impact of Waste and State of Recycling in Construction

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste comprises 30% of total trash worldwide, with over 35% of it going to landfills. Where the market exists, some of this waste can be recycled, though it may head to incinerators or other disposal methods.

Many of these materials come from natural resources, with waste streams including concrete, brick, steel, glass, and timber as some of the most prominent. Given the composition of environmentally taxing materials required, it is the most economical and sustainable option to repurpose them through recycling.

Several countries have legislation and agencies spearheading projects toward comprehensive C&D waste recycling efforts, including EU nations, New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S. Other projects, such as the BREEAM and LEED frameworks, assert postindustrial and postconsumer resources as foundational in obtaining their certifications. Without governmental and agency action, the environmental damage from C&D waste would be too significant, as landfills overflow and degrade the planet by reducing biodiversity and polluting habitats.

The current state of construction material recycling is optimistic, with room to grow. Projections suggest C&D waste recycling will have a 5.4% compound annual growth rate until 2030, reaching a worth of $41.88 billion. The numbers signify interest and dedication to invest in recycling infrastructure and programs.

What Recycled Materials Help Landfills

A majority of construction materials have recyclable alternatives on job sites now. These are the most prominent recycled players:

• Concrete can be crushed and used for foundations and roads.
• Steel can be melted, recast, and used for structural components.
• Glass can be crushed or melted and used for decorative or kitchen elements.
• Wood can be salvaged and used for floors and furniture.
• Plastic can be processed for use in insulation or pipes.
• Organic materials can be composted and used for landscaping.
• Aluminum can be melted, recast, and used for roofing.

These alternatives require less power and effort than gathering virgin materials. Mining and logging create waste, and construction generates more waste downstream and accounts for 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Reusing materials can decrease the energy use related to those emissions.

How Recycled Materials in Construction Reduce Impact

Recycled materials will change how construction companies operate, including their operations and values. Recycling encourages deconstruction over demolition, as many aspects of a building — notably structural components — are still viable for another project.

Capturing as many pieces as possible promotes circularity in construction in addition to recycling habits. Deconstruction sites will be the gold standard for on-site waste management, as their methods can help active construction sites better sort and transport waste materials.

Reuse also requires manufacturing durable construction components. Building parts are only as recyclable as their life span, and longevity could be extended with proper treatment and care during recycling.

For example, recycled concrete leverages several waste byproducts from other industrial waste streams, like fly ash, lathe iron waste dust, and silica stone waste. Supplementing concrete with these materials boosts tensile and compressive strength to make it higher-performing than it was in its first life.

Sustainable construction materials also shape more ethical environmental interactivity by:

• Creating more green jobs.
• Reducing new material demand.
• Regulating costs for components.
• Diverting waste from landfills and habitats.
• Eliminating pollutants from nature.

The Future of C&D Recycling

Current innovations and researchers’ predictions are hopeful for the construction sector’s ability to reduce waste generation through recycling. Numerous materials already have recyclable options, and the market needs only find ways of making them accessible to wider audiences. Corporations that do not prioritize leveraging repurposed building materials will fall behind regulatory pressures and client demands to adopt more eco-friendly operations in the coming years.

About the Author:

Evelyn Long is a writer and editor focused on construction and sustainability. Her work can be found on Renovated, a web resource for better building and design.