Demolition and recycling - Options for recycled brick material

Plant substrates

Crushed bricks and tiles can also be used to form substrates for growing plants. The material may be mixed with other substances used in plant production, e.g. composted organic materials. This material is especially suited for green roofs. Flat roofs are covered with a dense polymer membrane and overlaid with 10-30 cm of the crushed brick and tile material.

In research projects, this material has compared well with other materials used for the same purpose e.g. expanded clay and lava. The porosity of the material allows it to retain water that plants can draw on in dry periods. The use of a lighter coloured material can lower evaporation and thus enhance soil moisture levels.

Another possibility for crushed bricks and masonry is as fill material around tree roots where traffic would otherwise compact the soil and hinder its ability to absorb air and water.

The use of recycled ceramic waste material will save on new raw materials, but it must be free from contaminants that could be leached by water and adversely affect the plants and the surrounding area.

»The Clay Life Cycle    »  Demolition and Recycling » A longer life for buildings » Demolition of buildings » European policy » Options for recycled brick material     ·  Filling and stabilizing material for infrastructure     ·  Aggregates for in-situ and precast concrete     ·  Aggregates for calcium silicate bricks     ·  Tennis sand     ·  Plant substrates     ·  Other options
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