A Canadian architecture studio has employed the use of recycled ground glass pozzolan (GGP) in a recent bridge build.

The new structure that is located on Nuns’ Island outside of Montreal replaces a two-lane bridge constructed in the 1960’s.

It is estimated that the lifespan of this new structure will be at least 125 years.

Recycled glass converted to ground glass pozzolan was included in the aggregate, comprising about ten per cent of the mix.

This both reduces the total CO2 emissions necessary for the bridge's construction and creates a "strengthening of the mechanical properties of concrete.”

This strengthening occurs because of how the cement in the aggregate reacts with the GGP, forming calcium silica hydrate.

More than 40,000kg of glass - the equivalent of around 70,000 bottles of wine, went into the mixture.

When ground into a fine particle powder and introduced in concrete, GGP reduces the permeability and increases durability," said the studio, who noted that this method has been approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Besides the strength of the cement, the architects also said that the mixture could help with the resistance of the material to the harsh climatic conditions in Montreal.

Increasing the awareness and usage around GGP’s is essential world-wide if organisations and businesses are serious about reaching their Net-Zero goals by 2050. Introducing GGP’s such as recycled glass can drastically reduce the CO2 emissions that are attached when creating new projects & infrastructure.