Recycling and reuse of building materials decrease storage and shipping costs. Some recycling companies also bill less than traditional disposal practices.

FREMONT, CA: The construction sector is searching for ways to minimize its environmental effects now that policymakers and companies prioritize sustainability. Construction waste causes significant harm as it accounts for around one-third of all waste nationally. Recycling of building materials will significantly minimize the environmental effects of the industry.

Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste has historically been disposed of in landfills. However, this has a detrimental effect on the climate, contaminating groundwater and surrounding ecosystems. Construction firms and entrepreneurs are learning that recycling is valuable to the whole industry.

Environmental Benefits from Recycling Construction Materials

The recycling of construction materials has two primary environmental benefits: it saves electricity and eliminates landfill pollution.

Energy Savings: Recycling saves vast quantities of energy and generally reduces the use of renewable resources to manufacture new products. For example, if all of the concrete and asphalt waste produced annually in the U.S. is recycled, the energy equivalent of 1 billion gallons of gasoline will be saved.

Landfill Waste Reduction: Landfills are being filled, which means that new ways of handling waste must be created. Recycled building waste may be reused as it is or recycled into something different.

• Recycling reduces the need to submit garbage to landfills.

• The proper handling of radioactive waste minimizes the chemical build-up in the environment.

Economic Benefits of Recycling Construction Materials

Cost Savings: Recycling and reuse of building materials decrease storage and shipping costs. Some recycling companies also bill less than traditional disposal practices. Recycling also decreases demand for additional materials and also reduces transportation and manufacturing costs.

Green Certifications: Construction firms that recycle materials have a strategic advantage due to the growing value of green construction and environmental protection. Recycling can help building owners gain LEED certification points, the most common green building ranking system.

Recycling of construction materials offers an incentive to gain cost savings. These benefits include the cost of new components and the cost of transport and disposal. The use of recycled materials also helps in energy savings and a decrease in carbon emissions.