Construction, demolition and reconstruction of buildings has been going on for millennia. This always requires a large volume of aggregate and cement which is fast depleting our natural resources.

This risk combined with carbon emissions is the driver behind the growing demand for the use of mobile concrete recycling plants with filter presses. Batchcrete has seen a direct impact through equipment bookings, and we look at the carbon emissions impact today.

The Use Of Mobile Concrete Recycling Plants

Recycled aggregate not only minimises the need for quarried natural sandstone but also reduces the destruction of the environment by avoiding large-scale quarry mining.

In many developed countries, building waste accounts for 30-40% of municipal waste and up to fifty percent of the emissions. In these same countries, recovery rates of waste are good and increasing annually which suggests that concrete and other recycling plants are performing effectively and cost-efficiently.

Unfortunately, the Journal of Physics reports that in some high usage and waste countries, like China, they are only achieving a 5% recycling recovery rate.

Additional Studies On Recycling Of Concrete

There has been a significant quantity of studies done on recycled concrete and recycled aggregate versus legacy sources. Some are referred to in the Journal of Physics:

  • The effect of the replacement rate of recycled aggregate on the strength of recycled concrete: There was not a reduction of strength in recycled concrete when the replacement ratio of recycled aggregate was below 30%.
  • The improved resistance of recycled concrete to freezing and thawing with the reduction of water-binder ratios and the addition of air into the mixture.
  • The recycled concrete’s compressive strength increased after 28 days. This strength was subject to water-cement ratios in recycled concrete.
    • Recycled aggregate rates of thirty, seventy and one hundred per cent 30%, 70% and 100% had a linear relationship with the strength. A 50% ratio resulted in a parabolic relationship.
  • The ratio of higher production cost (recycled aggregate) versus legacy sources (natural aggregate) compared to overall benefits. Recycled concrete and aggregate showed good economic returns, superior environmental protection as well as community advantages.
  • The price of recycled concrete versus legacy concrete reported up to 15% savings.

Advancements In The Concrete Recycling Industry

Even though it is young, the concrete recycling industry is evolving quickly. Originally, the recycling of aggregate was processed by specialist recycling plants and concrete was recycled back at the major concrete manufacturers.

The transportation of materials consumes energy and produces CO2 emissions. Mobile, on-site plants, like the Batchcrete Mobile Concrete recycling plant with filter press, cuts out carbon-heavy transportation.

Carbon emissions from the recycling process (of concrete) are quite low. Removing the transport leg slashes the carbon footprint significantly.

Conclusion On Mobile Concrete Recycling Plants

Low-strength recycled concrete produced on-site with mobile concrete recycling plants compared with ordinary concrete of the same strength shows lower carbon emission levels.

It is also showing ecological, financial and community benefits.

Talk to our team of experts about a Batchcrete Mobile Concrete recycling plant with filter press for your site and win on multiple fronts.