Recycling Key Focus to Improve Manufacturing Process
In concrete's life cycle, recycling
is present from the beginning. Many wastes and
industrial byproducts like fly ash that would
otherwise clog landfills can be added to concrete
mixes. These by-products also reduce reliance
on raw materials. For example, in 2001, the concrete
industry used 11,400,000 metric tons of fly ash—a
byproduct of coal combustion at electric power
utility plants.
Concrete is easy to use and can be readily recycled. Delivered and prepared for each specific project, concrete typically produces very little waste.
Finally, when a concrete structure has served its purpose, it can be recycled as aggregate in new concrete paving, backfill, or as road base. Even the reinforcing steel in concrete (which often is made from recycled materials) can be recycled and reused.
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