A new ASTM International standard will help manufacturing plants better recycle returned fresh concrete, supporting the growth in sustainable construction practices.
The new standard (C1798, Specification for Returned Fresh Concrete for Use in a New Batch of Ready-Mixed Concrete), developed by ASTM’s committee on concrete (C09), covers process, verification, and record-keeping procedures for such recycling.
“Quite simply, this standard recognizes unused concrete in a fresh state as a potential ingredient for a new concrete batch,” says ASTM member Rich Szecsy, president, Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association.
“In other words, recycled fresh concrete can be treated as a raw-material component just like water, aggregates, and cement.” ??Prior to this, manufacturers had some options for repurposing or recycling fresh concrete but such material was most often disposed of in a landfill, Szecsy says.
Owners and end users will benefit from the new standard, since it will help lower the environmental impacts of construction. ??“Because of this new standard, the industry can participate in a more sustainable construction practice in which millions of cubic yards of concrete can now be recycled in a way that is safe for end users and provides a more conscious approach to environmental stewardship,” Szecsy says.
