Reusing or recycling materials
What happens to the bricks when a building is demolished? And to the pavers when paving is relaid? Reuse and recycling are the norm. Let us tell you about the many lives of our bricks and pavers.
Bricks get a second life
It’s not very often that someone chooses to demolish a building because of the state of the brick façade. Especially if the façade is a hundred years old. Often though, the old structure is not quite up to modern standards, and a renovation, either keeping or doing away with the old façade, is the better option. Even when a building is demolished, bricks do not need to be wasted, and they can be reused or recycled after demolition .
Reuse old bricks for a new façade
Once the mortar residues have been removed, the bricks can be reused for restoration or new-build projects. In their second life, bricks can be a real asset and they give the building an exceptional look and character.
Recycling unused bricks
Bricks that have never been used in a building, such as mis-fired bricks or off cuts, can be crushed to make chamotte.This material can be used as a material in the production of new bricks. Even stones that have been used for dry-stacking systems can also be recycled in this way. Masonry or bonded bricks cannot be used for this purpose as they may have mortar residues that can cause lime pitting.
Recycling used brick
Bricks from waste sites can be reused after recycling for jobs such as :
- Filler and stabilising material in infrastructure projects.
- Aggregate for poured and prefabricated concrete and mortar.
- Aggregate for bricks made from calcium silicate.
- Red ‘crushed brick’ as the surface for a tennis court.
- Plant substrates.
As bricks are made entirely from natural raw materials, they do not have a negative impact on groundwater or surface water.
What about pavers?
Our pavers can also be recycled and this is typically what happens to them.
Pavers have a long lifespan
International advisory and engineering firm Royal HaskoningDHV has determined that pavers have an average lifespan of 135 years. Some 10% go on for 250 years.
They have an overall reuse rate of no less than 90%
The advisory firm also discovered that 90% of all pavers are reused, sometimes several times over. City authorities tend to reuse between 80 and 90% of their used bricks for repaving or major maintenance. Pavers that aren't reused by that can be often find their way into private hands. This means that overall reuse of pavers is at least 90%. Sometimes they even get a third or fourth life in gardens, which is why they have such a high residual value.
Recycling pavers
If a paver can no longer be reused, it can be crushed ti form chamotte. This material is used in the production of new pavers or for granulate. The granulate can be used in road foundations or as a substitute for gravel or sand or for adding to other construction materials.
Together to Zero
Vandersanden is committed to being completely CO2 neutral by 2050. A promise that inextricably links us to further sustainability of our processes, products - including production methods - and factories. Because together we build greatness: a healthy, safe and sustainable environment for future generations.
Everything you need to know about façades
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