With the state of our environment becoming an increasing concern, businesses are analysing what they use and how much of it they recycle. Demolitions create a lot of waste, but you might be wondering what you can actually reuse. Demolition recycling is an important part of a building’s life cycle, as doing so can help you save up to 90% of the materials, therefore reducing the industries carbon footprint.
Recycling in demolition
Although there are not many legalities surrounding demolition and recycling targets, many demolition businesses aim to reach a target of 90% of waste recycled so they can do their bit for the environment. Recycling waste material also helps to cut the cost of new materials being bought for new building projects, so is often a more cost-effective business process.
Materials used in the construction business, that therefore contribute to demolition waste, are mostly recyclable, such as:
Wood
Wood can be salvaged and used for a variety of uses, such as burnt for bioenergy or reused in building structures. Simply putting wood into a landfill is a huge waste of resources and it costs more to import more wood for newer construction projects.
Metal
The UK exports 15 million tonnes of industrial waste each year, half of which is valuable metals. To recycle metal, you simply sort the metals and shred it so its easier to melt, purify and remould into various shapes and sizes for new construction projects.
Aggregates
The construction industry uses aggregates in almost every project, making it a crucial factor of construction. Aggregates are simply loose rocks and other similar materials that are used for foundations and bases of houses, roads, etc.
Insulation
Insulation can be recycled after all other foreign materials such as nuts and bolts are removed. Many insulation production companies
Concrete, bricks etc
Concrete, brick, blocks, and other similar material can be crushed down to rubble and used in other construction projects. Once sorted, screened and contaminants are removed, salvaged concrete or brick can be used in concrete aggregate.
What can’t be reused after the demolition?
Any material that has been contaminated with chemicals, asbestos and general rubbish cannot be reused as it can affect the overall quality of the next building or construction project.
Here at Down To Earth Demolition, we are the leading providers of a comprehensive demolition service, who also provide services in asbestos removal, and concrete crushing. With 30 years of experience in the industry, we have the knowledge to deliver high-quality services to all our customers. For more information on our services, please get in touch with a member of our team today.