Recycled aggregates provide many advantages for those working within the construction industry. They occur as a by-product from construction materials that have not been used before or made from reprocessing materials previously used in construction or demolition.
With more and more people choosing sustainable options over less eco-friendly options, recycled aggregates can be an excellent alternative to the conventional choice of using raw materials. So, how exactly can you benefit from recycled aggregates? We take a look at some of the most prominent benefits from their price to the versatility that these materials offer.
What Are Recycled Aggregates?
Before taking a more in-depth look at their benefits, it’s important to understand what recycled aggregates are.
Simply put, aggregates are granular materials used in construction work, including the likes of sand, concrete, gravel, brick and stone. Recycled aggregates are exactly the same but are simply made from the leftover aggregate from demolition and construction sites. So no new, raw materials have been used to make them.
In the past, all of the materials from these sites would have simply been taken to the landfill. But today, as we are more environmentally conscious than ever before, these materials are commonly reused in the construction industry to save on wasting new materials and save on costs.
What are Aggregates Used For?
Aggregates have a number of uses, including:
- General bulk fills
- Bank protection
- Fill for drainage structures
- Road construction
- Noise barriers
- Protecting pipes
- Embankments
When the material being used for aggregates has had all contaminants removed, it can be crushed into aggregate sizes and used for the likes of pavements, concrete soil cement and much more. They are also used outside of construction in agriculture, food manufacture and water and sewage purification.
Benefits of Recycled Aggregates
Here’s a look at the benefits of using recycled aggregates in your construction work.
Cost-Effective
Recycled aggregates are often the first choice for many people, and one of the main reasons for this is their cost-effectiveness. As you are purchasing a product that is effectively a recycled material, you can stand to save a significant amount of money, as they are less expensive to manufacture.
With the cost of quarried aggregates steadily increasing and the quality of recycled products improving with each passing year, recycled aggregates are now an excellent and cost-effective alternative. This means that contractors and homeowners won’t need to break the bank when it comes to choosing aggregates for any work in the future.
If the aggregates are produced locally, you can also save on transportation costs. You could also produce them yourself using leftover materials from your construction work, saving you even more money.
Environmentally Friendly
Another factor that makes recycled aggregates so popular is their sustainability. With more emphasis than ever before being placed on protecting and preserving the environment, recycled aggregates offer a great alternative to more harmful construction products.
Harvesting stone in its natural state consumes resources and mechanical processes and produces harmful pollutants as a by-product. When using an aggregate, however, you are using unwanted materials that are given new life. Natural materials will not be harvested, and there is little to no processing required.
This means that quarries are conserved for the future, and unused materials do not end up in landfills going to waste. In addition to this, recycled aggregates conserve energy and reduce transport emissions, which cuts down on costs for the end-user and helps the environment at the same time. You will be able to reduce your carbon footprint and still build a reliable and strong structure utilising recycled aggregates.
Durability
Recycled aggregate soils are sturdy and have a long lifespan. Their structure is just as reliable as non-recycled and is more than capable of standing the test of time, so you do not have to compromise on strength or durability when using them. Your construction project can benefit from these materials, which we at AE Faulks can deliver in single loads from 1 tonne up to 20 tonnes. We can provide you with screened hardcore, 4 inch crushed hardcore, road planning’s, screened topsoil and dug topsoil, so do not hesitate to get in touch with our team if you require any of these materials.
Flexibility
Recycled aggregates can be used for a vast range of applications. Whether it’s landscaping projects, home refurbishments, general construction, roads, and earthwork, for example, recycled aggregates will provide you with everything you need to accomplish your project to the highest standard.
Depending on the type of project you’re carrying out, recycled aggregates can include the likes of:
- Crushed stone
- Gravel
- Sand
- Recycled Brick
- Recycled Asphalt
- Recycled Concrete
This versatility and range of materials at your disposal make recycled aggregates suitable for many different projects and uses, commercially and domestically.
There’s no denying that recycled aggregates are an inexpensive and eco-friendly option used in many construction sites around the UK. Here at AE Faulks, we are proud to offer a wide range of options to our customers, from screened hardcore and general fill to screened topsoil and 4-inch crushed hardcore so if you require any materials for your next project, why not get in touch with us?
