The Role of Recycled Aggregates in Construction

The construction industry is increasingly focused on sustainability, seeking ways to reduce its environment impact. One significant strategy is the use of recycled aggregates. With a growing shortage of quarry reserves, this approach is becoming more critical. The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has highlighted that a significant number of planning permissions for quarries are set to expire by 2042, exacerbating the need for alternative sources of construction material.

Recycled aggregates offer a viable solution, providing numerous benefits while supporting sustainability goals. This blog post explores what recycled aggregates are, their benefits and applications

What are recycled aggregates?

They are materials that have been reproduced from demolished structures or returned from construction projects. Instead of being discarded as waste, these materials are processed and repurposed for new construction activities.

The WRAP protocol

The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) protocol is a set of guidelines and standards designed to facilitate the use of recycled aggregates in construction. This protocol aims to streamline the regulatory process, ensuring that recycled materials meet high-quality and environmental standards.

Any site wishing to import and use waste for any purpose requires an environmental permit. However, this process has been streamlined by the establishment of the WRAP protocol. A quality control process has been produced, allowing aggregates created from recycled waste to be imported into other sites without the need for an environmental permit.

The WRAP protocol document outlines waste acceptance procedures and quality control procedures for different types of recycled aggregates. This involves:

• Sampling and Laboratory Testing: Ensuring they meet specific standards.
• Detailed Records: Maintaining comprehensive records to ensure traceability and compliance.
• Quality Control Procedures: Implementing stringent quality control measures to ensure consistency and reliability.

By following the WRAP protocol, construction sites can confidently use recycled aggregates, knowing they meet necessary environmental and quality standards.

Benefits of Using Recycled Aggregates

1. Environmental Impact:

• Waste Reduction: Utilising them helps decrease the amount of construction waste in landfills.
• Carbon Footprint Reduction: Less energy-intensive than providing new materials, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Cost Saving:

• Material Cost: They are often cheaper than quarried materials.

3. Resources:

• Sustainable Supply: Provides a consistent supply of materials, reducing dependency on finite natural resources.
• Circular Economy: Promotes a circular economy by turning waste into valuable resources.

Applications

1. Concrete Production:

• Used in making new concrete for buildings, roads, and other structures. Incorporating them can enhance the sustainability of concrete products.

2. Road Base and Subbase:

• Ideal for creating road bases, subbases, and under pavements, offering similar performance to quarried aggregates.

3. Drainage Systems:

• They can be used in drainage systems to improve water management on construction sites and in landscaping projects, enhancing soil stability and reducing erosion.

Recycled aggregates play a crucial role in sustainable construction, offering environmental, economic, and resource conservation benefits. By incorporating these materials into construction projects, the industry can move towards a more sustainable and circular economy, reducing its overall environmental footprint. Encouraging the use of them not only supports sustainability goals but also provides practical and cost-effective solutions for modern construction needs. As quarry reserves diminish and planning permissions expire, recycled aggregates present a necessary and effective alternative for the future of construction.

Sources

Transitioning_to_2042_and_beyond_to_mantain_essential_minerals_supply.pdf (mineralproducts.org)

Quality protocol: aggregates from inert waste – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)