Concrete Recycling: A Sustainable Turning Point in the Construction Sector
Construction is one of the world's largest and most resource-intensive industries. One of these resources, concrete, is the world's most widely used building material, but its production and disposal have a significant environmental impact.
The building sector generates around 46 million tonnes of waste a year, over 85% of which comes from deconstruction and renovation work. The material recovery rate for all waste is 67%, with a sharp increase expected with the introduction of EPR in the building sector in 2023. (Source FFB )
What's more, the new Environmental Regulations (RE 2020), which came into force last January, have imposed major changes on the construction industry - not least in terms of recycling (and not just of concrete).
So, how can we make the concrete industry more sustainable? The answer lies in recycling concrete.
What is concrete recycling?
Concrete recycling involves the collection of concrete debris from demolition sites, which is then crushed and reused as aggregate in the manufacture of new concrete or for other construction applications. This practice is increasingly adopted worldwide due to its many environmental and economic benefits.
Why recycle concrete?
Concrete recycling offers many advantages. From an environmental point of view, it reduces the exploitation of new natural resources, thus lowering the carbon footprint of the construction sector. In addition, it keeps concrete waste out of landfills, reducing the impact on landfills and groundwater pollution.
From an economic point of view, recycling concrete saves on transport and landfill costs, as well as on the purchase of virgin materials. What's more, the use of recycled concrete can also offer advantages in terms of finished product performance, such as greater resistance to certain environmental conditions.
How is concrete recycled?
The concrete recycling process generally begins with the demolition of existing concrete. Next, the concrete debris is sorted to remove contaminants such as steel and other building materials. The remaining concrete is then crushed into aggregate of various sizes, which can be used in the production of new concrete or for other construction applications, such as road fill or earthworks.
The challenges of concrete recycling
Despite its many advantages, concrete recycling is not without its challenges. The quality of recycled concrete can vary according to the age and composition of the original concrete, which can affect the performance of the new concrete. In addition, the presence of contaminants can also affect the quality of recycled concrete.
However, with the development of more advanced sorting and crushing technologies, these problems can be overcome, making concrete recycling an increasingly viable and attractive option for the construction industry.
Does EPR have a significant impact on concrete recycling?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the Concrete Building Materials (CBM) sector has a significant impact on concrete recycling. This initiative aims to encourage producers to design more sustainable products and actively participate in their end-of-life, by encouraging them to reuse, recycle or recover waste from their products.
As far as concrete is concerned, the implementation of the PMCB EPR is gradually increasing recycling rates. Producers find themselves more motivated to develop more efficient methods of collecting and processing concrete waste, thereby reducing the environmental impact of concrete production. This initiative has also stimulated innovation in the creation of new recycled concrete products, contributing to the circular economy and reducing dependence on natural resources.
Herve de Maistre, President of VALOBAT, did us the honor of talking to us in an episode of our podcast about EPR PMCB and the Agec law, as well as the concept of the eco-organization and how it works in detail: exemptions, scales, redistribution principles... It's all there!
Best practices
Here are a few best practices to follow for efficient, eco-responsible concrete recycling.
1. Preliminary sorting
Sorting is a key stage in the recycling process. It involves separating concrete from other construction and demolition waste. Careful sorting eliminates contaminants that could affect the quality of the recycled concrete. Arnaud RONGIER, co-founder of EndLess Group (formerly Big Bag 'n Go), talks to us about his solution for collecting and recycling construction site waste, in our podcast "Les Bâtisseurs".
2. Ensuring adequate particle size
It is important to control the grain size of recycled concrete. Proper grading can improve the quality of recycled concrete and make it more flexible to use. Screening techniques can be used to obtain a uniform grain size.
3. Use of suitable crushing equipment
The quality of recycled concrete depends largely on the crushing technology used. The use of modern, high-performance crushing equipment can improve the quality of recycled concrete, thereby broadening its range of potential applications.
4. Compliance with quality standards
The quality of recycled concrete must be monitored and maintained in compliance with industry standards. This requires regular testing to ensure that recycled concrete meets quality and performance standards.
5. Awareness and education
Promoting awareness and education on the benefits of concrete recycling is crucial to encouraging its adoption in the construction industry. Workshops, seminars and training courses can help construction professionals understand the importance of concrete recycling and learn best practices.
Concrete recycling is a significant step towards a more sustainable construction industry. With its many environmental and economic benefits, it offers a promising solution to the environmental impact of the construction industry. It is essential that industry players continue to invest in concrete recycling technologies and promote sustainable construction practices to ensure a greener future for our planet.