As more materials are recycled, more construction products are being made from recycled materials. Reusing materials instead of dumping them in landfills saves valuable resources; by actively looking for and buying products with recycled content, you encourage the recycling industry.
Today there are many building materials available in recycled form:
Metal Products – Steel and aluminum building elements are highly recyclable. Between 50% to 70% of the energy and pollution caused by steel production can be avoided by recycling steel. Remelting aluminum avoids up to 85 percent of the energy and pollution of aluminum manufacturing.
Heavy Timbers – Many heavy timbers are recycled from old buildings and cut into flooring, siding and other unique wood products.
Plastics – Recycling plastics is a complicated process. However, more and more building products are using recycled plastic as a major component of the product. Decking, railings, composite trim are all examples of building products using recycled plastics.
Glass – Remelting glass offers few energy and pollution savings. However, recently recycled glass is being used in concrete counter tops and other concrete and asphalt products.
Masonry products and ceramics – Recycling concrete, clay, asphalt and other similar materials is an excellent way of keeping it out of landfills. Masonry products are often crushed and then reused for granular fill in roads and sidewalks. Concrete and asphalt are crushed up and used in pavement bases.
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