Today, more
and more people are taking the necessary steps to reduce our impact on the
environment and lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle. A huge part of these
changes include reducing how much waste we produce and reusing and recycling
wherever possible. If you run a construction company or you’re undertaking a
building project, you may have found yourself wondering how you can make your
work more eco-friendly.
With each
year that passes, our world grows and urbanises at an even faster rate, which
places the responsibility on us to try to sustain our existing environment and
do our bit to reduce the impact we have on the earth. If you’re wondering how
you can make your next construction project more eco-friendly, recycled
aggregates is a great place to start.
What are
recycled aggregates?
Recycled
aggregates are developed from old materials used in past construction projects.
In the past, when a building or construction project was demolished, the waste
produced would end up in landfill - this would include materials such as
gravel, concrete, stone, sand and bricks. However, today these leftover
aggregates are reused and recycled for other construction projects.
Recycled
aggregates are essentially reprocessed materials that have previously been used
in construction. Instead of sending the waste to landfill, taking up precious
space on our planet and polluting the earth, these aggregates are instead
recycled and can be used for future projects. Reprocessing these materials
includes crushing, mixing and grading aggregate to meet the required
specifications, so you can rest assured the quality is just as high as normal
aggregate.
Benefits of using recycled aggregates for your
next project
Eco-friendly
Recycled
aggregate is regarded as a ‘green’ and sustainable construction material,
offering a great alternative to more harmful construction projects. Using
recycled aggregates for your next project reduces the amount of virgin
aggregates that are created, which in turn means less natural resources are
used up.
There’s no
denying every construction project produces a lot of waste. If this waste isn’t
recycled, it otherwise ends up in landfill. Reprocessing these materials and
turning them into high-quality, usable aggregate for future projects ensures
these materials are kept away from landfill and repurposed for new projects.
Cost-effective
As a
business owner, you’re likely always looking for ways to reduce your
expenditure on materials and construction costs. As recycled aggregates are less
expensive to produce and manufacture than virgin materials, they can save you a
significant amount of money. Using recycled aggregates instead of virgin
aggregates will ensure your project stays within budget and save you some extra
costs.
High-quality
Even though
recycled aggregates are a far more cost-effective option, this doesn’t mean
they scrimp on quality. Recycled aggregates are sturdy and have a long
lifespan; they actually offer the same quality and grade as new aggregates and
are considered to be as structurally reliable as natural aggregate.
Opting for
recycled aggregates doesn’t mean you have to compromise on strength, durability
or reliability. Recycled aggregate has to meet the legal standards of
construction materials and undergo rigorous reprocessing methods to ensure it
meets all legal structural requirements.
Versatile
If you’re
looking for a versatile material suitable for a range of different projects,
recycled aggregates are ideal. Not only are they environmentally friendly and
cheap to buy, but they can also be used for various different functions, from
basic home improvement projects to roads and earthwork. If you want to save
some extra cash and bulk buy recycled aggregates, you can rest assured they can
be used across a variety of projects and will have a number of uses.
Generally,
recycled aggregates include crushed stone, sand, gravel, recycled brick,
recycled concrete and recycled asphalt. The flexibility and versatility of
recycled aggregates makes these materials suitable for hundreds of different
projects, both domestic and commercial.
Finding a reliable recycled aggregate supplier
Once you’ve
made the decision to use recycled aggregate for your construction project, the
next step is finding a reliable supplier. To ensure you purchase the best and
highest-quality recycled aggregate, you’ll need to find an experienced and
reputable company. Follow our top tips below for finding a top recycled
aggregate supplier near you.
Look for an experienced company
With
experience comes quality. Choosing a company that has been in the industry for
years is key; the more experience a company has, the more time they’ve had to
perfect their services and products. While it’s always good to support start-up
companies, we recommend choosing an experienced company that has been in the
industry for a while. Experienced companies will have had more time to develop
high-quality services, prices and products.
Choose a company that cares about
sustainability
When you
purchase recycled aggregates from a company, you can assume they’re
environmentally friendly where possible. However, it’s always worth doing a bit
of research and checking exactly how they work. Choose a company that provides
you with products that have been produced as sustainably as possible and one
that cares about the impact they have on the environment.
Shop around for competitive prices
Let’s be
honest, one of the most important factors in a construction project is price.
Each construction project has its own budget, and it’s crucial you stay within
this budget. While recycled aggregate is cheaper to purchase than virgin
aggregate, you’ll still find companies that charge more for it than others.
It’s worth
taking the time to shop around and find a company that offers competitive
prices. Reading online reviews from customers and clients can give you a good
idea of the company in question; if there are plenty of good reviews, this is a
good sign. If there are lots of negative reviews, it’s probably worth taking your
business elsewhere.
Talk to the company in question
If you’re in
need of a regular supply of recycled aggregates for your projects, it’s worth
developing a positive relationship with your supplier. Before you choose a
supplier, don’t be afraid to ask any questions or communicate any concerns you
have. Any reputable and reliable supplier will be more than happy to answer
your questions, discuss their services and tell you exactly what recycled
aggregate they have.
W M Thompson & Son: Suppliers of Reclaimed
Stone and Other Recycled Aggregates
At William
Thompson & Son, sustainability is at the forefront of our business ethos.
We ensure every aspect of our operation is as green and environmentally
friendly as possible. While the construction industry produces a lot of waste,
we pride ourselves on reducing this waste through the use of efficient
recycling practices.
When you
purchase recycled aggregates from W M Thompson & Son, you can rest assured
you’re sourcing products of the highest quality that have been produced as
sustainably as possible. We also supply quarry products, haulage and landfill
for inert materials to all sectors of the construction and building industry
across the west of Scotland.
We’re proud
to provide each one of our customers with creative solutions that meet their
requirements at extremely competitive rates. With over 70 years of experience,
you can rely on us to deliver high-quality products using methods that have the
lowest possible impact on the environment.
To learn more about us,
visit our website.
