Every industry must look at new ways to operate more sustainably, and none more so than construction. A good way to act more sustainably is to use reclaimed material that has already been used in buildings and give it a new lease of life in another project. Most building materials can be adapted and refinished or remain in their original form as a recycled material.
Recycled materials can include things such as bricks, ceramic tiles, roofing, metal fixtures, stone and wood. You can also reuse original items of interest, for example using old roof beams for a new fireplace.
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The construction industry is one of the most important areas where recycling and sustainability can make a real difference. This creates a huge impact on the environment with an annual rate of about 6 tons per person of waste in the UK. It also accounts for 18% of carbon emissions and about a third of all UK waste. The use of reclaimed materials can significantly reduce the impact on the environment.
Reclaimed materials can be sourced during re-modelling projects or from demolition sites. For more information on Demolition Bath, visit a site like https://www.davidhortoncontractors.co.uk/demolition/demolition-bath/. It is essential that the materials are unloaded and disassembled in a manner as to maintain their integrity, so that they can be sold and recycled. This is the opposite of construction and thus, known as deconstruction. These materials can also be found in reclamation yards, where specialist salvage businesses sell them on.
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The case for reclaimed bricks
Bricks are one of the most useful materials to reclaim. They help keep a new build, extension or renovation within budget, and reclamation yards stock a wide range of second-hand materials. Weathering and age also give old bricks a character that new ones lack, and they can supply unusual sizes, colours and styles that are hard to find today.
The environmental case is strong. Making and buying new materials releases significant carbon dioxide, and government figures attribute 44% of UK carbon emissions to the construction and building industry. Reusing what already exists is a direct way to cut that footprint.
There are drawbacks to plan around. The bricks you want may only come in small batches, and it is hard to judge how bricks made hundreds of years ago will perform. That is why reclaimed bricks are tested for suitability. Any showing signs of deterioration, such as cracks or breakage, are not considered safe for structural use.
