Waste not, want not. This is the motto of all those who know how to utilise all the resources at their disposal. When you pay for a good, service or material, you want to get the most out of it. With recycling, you are going a step further and gaining even more usability, saving money and helping the environment. Think of it in this way. These materials from the Earth are used to make those construction materials. It only makes sense to re-use or re-purpose them as the materials are versatile. How, you may ask? We are here to help!
1. Timber!
Wood is part of every culture\'s construction ways. From Japan which mostly utilises wood and the USA to Europe and Australia which mix them with other materials to various degrees. Wood and lumber are long-lasting, versatile and great for any part of your home. When you wish to remove it by deconstructing any part, the greatest mistake you can make is to throw it away. All wooden parts that are in any condition can always be reused.
Re-milling old lumber and timber produces new material for floors, paneling, doors and windows. Depending on the condition, wood can be reused by builders to construct new barns and fences. Or, the safest option is to utilise heavy machinery which can easily grind waste wood into particleboard. Each option is vastly superior to simply throwing it away.
2. Window panes and glass
While glass and glass-type surfaces are usually the ones to break and suffer the most during renovation or demolition with a bit of care, you can make a profit. First off, glass is universal, and when you remove the frame, you can cut it to your new needs, without needing to buy a new one. Glass windows can be re-cut for a greenhouse in your garden, for example. Since glass needs special care because it\'s fragile to start with, you can always reach out to your local Builders’ Association. It\'s always a good idea to have a plan B, so you can also consult your state or provincial environmental agency for the best advice about glass recycling.
3. Roof shingles
Speaking of diverse and durable construction products roof shingles are on top of things. They protect your home from the harshest temperatures, strongest winds and fiercest winters. Shingles as materials and building supplies, should not be thrown away. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to recycle and re-purpose them. Some shingles are made from asphalt mixed with small gravel.
Others, like durable and versatile copper roofing, can be recycled for a hefty sum and copper as a material has multiple purposes. The more usage some material has, the easier it is to recycle. And with multiple applications comes greater value. Meaning that you will be earning a hefty sum in the process. Whatever sum it is, it\'s certainly higher than zero which is what you get when you throw it away.
4. Recycling appliances
These are not strictly building materials but are part of every re-modelling or demolition process. When you demolish or re-do a room, most of the time the old appliances in there get tossed out for new ones. This is a crying shame because functional or broken appliances still have plenty of valuable materials inside that can be recycled, and you can use the funds for new ones. Reaching out to organisations like the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, or Goodwill can get them off your hands and into good use. Or, if you are thinking locally, you can gift them to one of your neighbours who would probably need them or take them to your local recycling centre.
5. Concrete action
Concrete is usually considered an irritating building waste. Workers used to sweep it up and toss it away, but those days are long gone. Crushing centers are more than capable to turn that rubble into brand new material, saving millions and helping the environment. This new and recycled concrete can be reused for pavements, roads and driveways. We want to list even more options so you can realise how important it is to recycle concrete. Recycled concrete is used for a foundation for pipes or in landscaping.
Making any changes to your surroundings seems like a daunting task before you start. Many people think that their single action cannot change or contribute much. Nothing can be further from the truth as a recycling building material can help you with new material, money and taking all that necessary rubbish away. With recycling, you are giving back to the community and Mother Nature while also benefiting in the process. All it takes is to modify your view a bit, and view every material in any shape or form as a potential for more, not waste. With that, you are ready to start! We wish you all the best!
0
Sign in to leave a comment.