Recycled waste materials must increasingly be used in construction if we are ever to reduce our reliance on primary virgin unsustainable resources, reduce the industry’s carbon footprint, and move towards a circular economy. Here are two developments heading in the right direction:
We're the first London borough to use recycled rubber in our roads thanks to new technology from Tarmac.— Tower Hamlets Council (@TowerHamletsNow) February 6, 2020
Working with contractors JB Riney, we resurfaced a street in Bethnal Green using 100 waste tyres while reducing our carbon emissions.https://t.co/NKLTBaq5hq pic.twitter.com/QqxkQuv4eN
Forty million waste tyres are produced every year. John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:
It’s great to see innovative solutions to repurposing waste that could otherwise go to landfill or incineration. We were one of the first councils to declare a climate emergency and we’re keen to explore all ideas that can reduce our impact on the environment. This product will provide a safe surface with less emissions and disruption during the laying process.
And here's something that found application on the M25:
Volumetric mixers expand Cemfree possibilities https://t.co/3SC5E7GJyt #constructionnews #construction #news pic.twitter.com/Ld9tSNyHDi— Construction Index (@TCIndex) January 29, 2020
Cemfree – concrete made using ground-granulated blast-furnace slag instead of cement – has a carbon footprint "77% lower than conventional mixes." Volumetric trucks allow material to be mixed on site in the quantities required.
