The Pros and Cons of Using Recycled Construction Materials

Crushed Stone

If you are planning out the types of materials that you will use on your next construction or landscaping project, you may be wondering if you can use recycled construction materials in place of some other types of materials, such as crushed stone.  Here are some of the pros and cons of recycling these materials:

Pros:

  • Good for the environment. As with all types of recycled materials, any time you can use a product that has been recycled or reclaimed instead of using something new for the first time, you are doing the environment a favor.  In the case of recycled stone materials, you are keeping a great deal of waste out of landfills, where it would sit for decades, or even centuries, without ever decomposing.  Instead, concrete, asphalt and stone that is reclaimed from roadways, sideways, parking lots, pavement and curbs is re-crushed so it can be used for a new application.
  • Saves you money. Since recycled materials start with something that has already been previously used, it means that you can reap the benefits of lower costs. These materials satisfy the same purpose as the same type of material that has not been previously used but without breaking your budget. In most cases, the materials are used in an application in which you will not even see them in the finished product so there’s no need to spend extra money on something that serves the same function but is not seen.

Cons:

  • Aesthetic look. The one primary drawback to using recycled materials over new materials is that you may not be able to achieve the exact look you are going for. This is not an issue when you are using recrushed asphalt or concrete as a road base, for example.  But if you are looking to use landscaping stone to add to the overall look of your landscape design, you may prefer to select new stone so the finished project looks just like you had hoped.  Recycled and reclaimed materials are best used in applications where they will not be seen and will not affect the overall look of the finished design.
  • You may not have as many choices available to you when it comes to selecting size, color and other attributes. Recycled materials generally provide a narrower range of options.

 

For more information about pros and cons of recycling and the types of recycled construction materials offered by ATAK Trucking in New Jersey and Staten Island, call (917) 912-2900.

Save

Exit mobile version