Articles

Benefits Of Recycled Glass Pozzolans

17th March 2023

Many experts in the construction industry are increasingly touting the benefits of recycled glass pozzolans as a sustainable and high-performance alternative compared to traditional pozzolans.

According to a recent webinar hosted by the Northeast Recycling Council and Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association using a dry process, Industries remove contaminants from glass flowing through MRFs and mills the material into a fine powder, which is then used as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. The pozzolan replaces up to 50% of cement used in concrete and has a carbon footprint of about 5% of the cement it replaces.

Significant advantages of using recycled glass pozzolans include:

-Sustainability: As landfills continue to overflow with waste, the use of recycled materials such as glass can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, and conserve natural resources. Recycled glass pozzolans are also a cost-effective solution, as they can be sourced locally and often at a lower cost than traditional pozzolans.

-Reduced Emissions: Various experts are also highlighting the positive environmental impact of recycled glass pozzolans on greenhouse gas emissions. The production of traditional pozzolans requires significant energy consumption, which results in the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Using recycled glass pozzolans can reduce carbon emissions, making it an attractive choice for sustainable construction projects.

-Heat island effect: Ground glass pozzolan produces lighter-coloured concrete compared to when cement or fly-ash/slag are used which reduces the "heat island" effect.  Which paved surfaces absorb radiation from the sun and increase urban temperatures during the summer. Additionally, bottle glass doesn’t present heavy metal contamination concerns.

Overall, the benefits of using recycled glass pozzolans in construction are becoming increasingly recognized by experts across the field.

By offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional pozzolans, recycled glass pozzolans have the potential to revolutionize the construction industry while addressing pressing environmental concerns.

To learn more visit : https://resource-recycling.com/recycling/2023/01/02/experts-tout-the-benefits-of-recycled-glass-pozzolans/