Utilization of Recycled and Waste Materials in Various Construction Applications

Abstract

More production equals more waste, more waste creates environmental concerns of toxic threat. An economical viable solution to this problem should include utilization of waste materials for new products which in turn minimize the heavy burden on the nation's landfills. Recycling of waste construction materials saves natural resources, saves energy, reduces solid waste, reduces air and water pollutants and reduces greenhouse gases. The construction industry can start being aware of and take advantage of the benefits of using waste and recycled materials. Studies have investigated the use of acceptable waste, recycled and reusable materials and methods. The use of swine manure, animal fat, silica fume, roofing shingles, empty palm fruit bunch, citrus peels, cement kiln dust, fly ash, foundry sand, slag, glass, plastic, carpet, tire scraps, asphalt pavement and concrete aggregate in construction is becoming increasingly popular due to the shortage and increasing cost of raw materials. In this study a questionnaire survey targeting experts from construction industry was conducted in order to investigate the current practices of the uses of waste and recycled materials in the construction industry. This study presents an initial understanding of the current strengths and weaknesses of the practice intended to support construction industry in developing effective policies regarding uses of waste and recycled materials as construction materials.

Optimising material procurement for construction waste minimization: An exploration of success factors

“…Several research efforts have been made in this perspective, by concentrating on reuse and recycling of waste generated (cf. Medina et al, 2014;Oyedele et al, 2013;Chick and Micklethwaite, 2004;Bolden et al, 2013;Dunster, 2012;Cavalline and Weggel, 2013). Apart from the fact that these set of studies provide end of pipe treatment for waste, the quality of recycled materials has been a subject of controversial literatures.…”

Use of recycled products in UK construction industry: An empirical investigation into critical impediments and strategies for improvement

“…For instance, post-consumer waste generated from commercial, households, institution or industrial uses is recycled for use in construction. Examples of such materials include newsprint for cellulose insulation, wall paper, asphalt road surfacing and colour board; plastic bags for plastic strip usually added to soil embankments, grounded polyethylene , and as a constituent of Trex and plastic lumber (Bolden et al, 2013;Woolley et al, 1997;Graettinger, et al, 2005). Other recycled products of post-consumer origin include wool insulation made from recycled fabrics, ceiling boards made from recycled plastics, carpet and carpet pad made from recycled post-consumer fabrics, rubber tiles made from scrap tires, and so on.…”

Use of Crumb Rubber to Improve Thermal Efficiency of Cement-Based Materials

“…The utilization of recycled and waste materials in construction applications and the solution of environment problem by recycling are becoming greater concern (Bolden et al, 2013). There are many lightweight construction materials that contain recycled fillers such as fly ash (Kearsley and Wainwright, 2001;James et al, 2011), waste glass (Duman et al, 2002), steel slag (Yue et al, 2000;Fiore et al, 2008), lightweight expanded clay aggregates (James et al, 2011;Roshan et al, 2010), foam polystyrene (Laukaitis et al, 2005) and more.…”