GOING GREEN WITH CONCRETE
Going Green With Concrete
Few paving materials can match concrete when it comes to sustainability and conserving the environment. Below are some top reasons why.
Concrete is made with renewable resources.
Unlike asphalt pavements that are made with non renewable petroleum supplies, concrete pavements are made from abundant, sustainable resources including water, natural rock and sand and cement. The predominant raw material for the cement in concrete is limestone, the most abundant mineral on earth.
Concrete can utilize recycled and waste materials
Ready mix suppliers make the concrete for your driveway using waste byproducts, which reduces the consumption of raw materials and keeps waste out of landfills. Fly ash, ground blast furnace slag and silica fume all byproducts from power plants, steel mills and other industrial processes are commonly used a partial cement replacements. You can also use recycled aggregates in the concrete mix and reinforcing steel that has a high recycled content.
Concrete saves energy by reflecting light
Concrete is naturally brighter and more reflective than asphalt, saving energy by reducing the need for lighting at night. Up to 27% of all light falling on a concrete surface will be reflected, compared with as little as 5% of light from asphalt pavements. In addition, light – colored paving materials help reduce the heat island effect in urban areas.
Concrete last longer
Properly installed concrete should last for many decades – and last two or three times longer than asphalt. Concrete does not need to be replaced or resurfaced as often, fewer raw materials are consumed over the life of the pavement.
Concrete can be recycled at the end of its service life
If your concrete ever needs to be replaced, it can be crushed and recycled at the end of its service life. The material from your recycled concrete can be used as granular fill, as a base course for new pavement, or as aggregate in new concrete.