10 Recyclable Building Materials for Future Zero-Carbon Buildings

10 Recyclable Building Materials for Future Zero-Carbon Buildings

As the construction industry moves towards a zero-carbon future, recycled building materials are gaining popularity.

Researchers and scientists are constantly developing new materials and construction methods using recycled and green materials.

In the field of construction, the lifespan of a house is usually 50 years, and after buying a house, the new owner usually considers some changes. For example, new owners will knock down walls, install new windows, and build new rooms. After a period of use, most residents will choose to renovate.

But what to do with all the construction waste? How to fully recycle and reuse it in other buildings?

One

What are recycled building materials?

Any reusable material from a construction site can be considered recycled construction material.

Builders and contractors can recycle a variety of materials on construction sites. For example, builders can shred bricks into concrete aggregate, utilize reclaimed wood, or even reuse plastic or rubber.

The best thing about recycled materials is that you can get really creative with them, and any competent architect will jump at the chance to unleash their creativity.

Two

10 Examples of Recycled Building Materials

Below are ten examples of recycled building materials used in construction today.

1. Clay bricks

picture

wall made of recycled brick

Clay bricks have been around since 7000 BC, so they are not a new building material. Their lifespan is 500 years. Such a long service life means they can be reused for multiple construction projects.

In addition to being able to reuse these bricks for projects like new walls, they can also be crushed into pieces and used as aggregate in concrete or gravel substitutes. But its uses don't stop there. They can also smelt them into powder and use as filler sand, or make them into new bricks.

2. Plant-based polyurethane foam board

Polyurethane is a plastic that you can use as an insulator in your home. What's more, manufacturers can make plant-based plastics that are more environmentally friendly by using vegetable oils. For example, oils from bamboo, hemp and kelp effectively create a sustainable insulation board.

The benefits of plant-based polyurethane panels include good heat transfer resistance and superior sound insulation. In addition, plant-based polyurethane is mildew and insect resistant.

3. Hempcrete

Hempcrete is a sustainable alternative to concrete. The material consists of natural hemp fibers and is combined with lime to create a concrete-like material.

While cement production accounts for 8% of global CO2 emissions, hemp concrete is carbon negative, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere rather than emitting it. Not only is it sustainable, but it is also self-insulating and meets most building standards without additional insulation.

The only downside - it's not a load bearing material. Therefore, without a frame made of steel or wood, hemp concrete will not be able to support the roof structure of your home.

4. Ecobricks

Ecobricks is an idea that directly addresses the problem of plastic waste pollution, you can use these "plastic bricks" to build structures like vegetable gardens or even walls.

Plastic can take up to 450 years to decompose, almost as long as clay bricks. As such, Ecobricks are an affordable alternative to regular bricks.

5. Bamboo

The use of bamboo in construction is nothing new. However, with recent research revealing undiscovered properties, bamboo has emerged as one of the most sustainable building materials.

Although it's not technically wood, bamboo has impressive strength and flexibility. In terms of compression resistance, it is three times stronger than wooden beams and stronger than concrete. Bamboo is stronger than steel in terms of its tensile strength (tensile capacity).

Bamboo is recyclable after initial use. For example, manufacturers can strip bamboo used in construction into fibers. Common bamboo products include bamboo tableware, bamboo chips, and bamboo floors composed of bamboo fibers.

6. Rubber tires

Tires make an excellent recyclable building material. They are composed of natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Rubber is a broad term that describes a variety of compounds - each with its own unique properties.

Tires that are not fit for the road are disposed of and are often thrown into landfills. This is not environmentally friendly as there are many innovative ways to install tires at home.

Here are some examples:

You can compact typres with soil to create retaining walls.

You can tear them into small pieces and use them as paving stones.

Tires are great for creating DIY vegetable gardens.

Or make a swing?

7. Rammed earth

house made of concrete and rammed earth

Rammed earth is a construction method that is popular all over the world. It offers significant advantages when used in your home, providing better thermal comfort and insulation.

These walls usually consist of soil dug from the construction site and compacted into the walls. Then, it is mixed with cement and becomes hard and hard.

Rammed earth has another utilization trick to break down a wall and repurpose it. For example, if rammed earth is crushed, it can be used as sand fill, re-compacted, or placed in concrete.

8. Newspaper Wood

A table made of newspaper wood

Newspaper wood is taken from paper and turned back into wood.

The wood consists of sheets of paper glued together and subjected to tremendous pressure, compressing the sheets into solid blocks that can be carved and cut. This concept of compression is not new to the construction industry - plywood is manufactured in a similar way. Newspaper wood is still a relatively new material. Therefore, it has not been used to actually build houses. However, as researchers explore and develop its properties, it may be used as a floor or "wood" finish in your home.

9. Polycarbonate Sheet

Different types of polycarbonate sheets

Polycarbonate sheets are the building materials currently used for roofing or siding. The film is made of thermoplastic polymer and is 100% recyclable. From a sustainability standpoint, plastic doesn't have the best reputation. With that said, these translucent panels can be melted down and used over and over again.

They can create a beautiful and stunning look, allowing light in while still providing privacy. It can be seen that polycarbonate sheet will evolve into a more sustainable material with several advantages.

Polycarbonate sheet exterior. Combined with wood, this part of the house is fully recyclable

10. Chip[s] Board

Chip board example

This material is a perfect example of exploring different technologies and innovative alternatives to single-use materials. Not to be confused with particleboard, it was invented by Rowan Minkley and Robert Nicoll as a replacement for disposable products. The chip board is made of plastic made from potato waste. This plastic is biodegradable and has a more sustainable production process than other plastics.

This bioplastic combines with potato peels, reclaimed wood, bamboo and other organic by-products to create beautiful boards. It can be used for furniture, armrests and other architectural elements, all the user has to do is get creative.

three

How are recycled materials used in construction?

When it comes to using recycled materials in buildings, architects and contractors can be as creative as they want, depending on the material and its properties.

Builders can use recycled materials in place of concrete or as walls. In addition to this, they can be used for more decorative purposes such as furniture or facades. However, all materials age. Therefore, these materials need to meet the needs of both current and future owners.

Four

Is it cheaper to build with recycled materials?

It depends on the type of material used. Materials like bamboo flooring are cheaper options. However, other recycled products can be more expensive due to their recycling process.

However, there are some ways to solve this problem. Most recycled building materials can be sourced from local construction sites or dumps.

Eco-bricks are basically free because they consist of plastic waste that is usually thrown away. On the other hand, the production process of newspaper lumber is more intensive and can be more expensive than other alternatives.

Fives

What are the benefits of using recycled materials?

Not only are many materials costless, but they also drastically reduce the building's carbon footprint.

The utilization rate of developed countries in Europe and the United States is above 95%, while the recycling rate of construction waste in my country is relatively low. As of the end of 2020, there are nearly 600 construction waste recycling projects in 35 pilot cities across the country, and the recycling capacity has reached 550 million tons per year, but only 350 million tons of construction waste have actually been recycled. rate is only about 10%.

In March 2021, the National Development and Reform Commission and nine departments issued the "Guiding Opinions on Comprehensive Utilization of Bulk Solid Waste during the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan", which clearly stipulates that the comprehensive utilization rate of new bulk solid waste will reach 60% by 2025. In the field of construction, we will promote green construction, promote in-situ recycling of waste pavement materials and demolition waste, and implement classification management of construction waste, source reduction and resource utilization. Continuously improve the quality of utilization and increase the scale of utilization.

On December 15, 2021, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with 17 departments and units, jointly issued the "Work Plan for the Construction of a "Waste-Free City" during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period", proposing to promote the recycling of building materials, and to formulate and improve the classification of construction waste on construction sites. , collection, statistics, disposal and recycling and other related standards. Encourage the application of construction waste recycled aggregates and products in construction engineering and road engineering. Promote the use of processed construction waste in the fields of earthwork balance, forestry soil, environmental management, sintered products and backfilling.

The recycling of construction waste is not only in line with the current policy development trend, but also can reduce construction costs and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, and the future market prospects will be even more impressive.