Improved Efforts in Recycling Concrete

Several decades ago, used concrete was simply hauled away to landfills for disposal.  While this presented a quick solution for getting rid of the concrete, it not only started filling up landfills but was viewed poorly from an environmental standpoint.  The fact is concrete is a fairly easy material to recycle and can be reused in a variety of ways.  Even after many decades of use as a building or highway, the concrete can be recycled and used again in other construction projects.    

Today once a building has outlived its usefulness and is ready to be demolished, crews prepare the concrete by removing as many contaminates as possible such as roofing, trash, wood, and other materials.  The more care that is taken at the jobsite helps to improve the quality of the ensuing product once it is recycled.  Furthermore, unless the concrete has been reasonable cleaned, many recycling facilities will not even accept it.

Once at the recycling facility, huge magnets are used to attract and identify the steel for removal.  All of the reinforced steel (rebar) in the concrete is removed and sold to rebar fabrication plants where it can be reused to make new rebar.   

During the recycling process, the concrete is put through several steps that involve crushing, pre-sizing, sorting, screening and further elimination of contaminants.  It is cleaned by a water method to get rid of dirt and other remaining materials.  Care is taken to get rid of any remaining materials such as asphalt, sealant, chlorides and gypsum.  

Even concrete that has not been as carefully processed and screened has a use in the industry. This type of aggregate is sold for fill, drainage, or as sub-base gravel before asphalt or new concrete is poured.

Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado.