El problema peligrosos reciclaje

READY OR NOT, CONSTRUCTION RECYCLING IS ON THE WAY

The article develops the hazardous topic of Recycling. The author highlights the key concepts and works that are becoming important to understand this new habit in construction and in our real life.

Nowadays many architects are trying to incorporate re-used and recycled materials and to search how to reduce on site construction waste. That is, architects are trying to develop Sustainable Architecture and reasons are varied.

Firstly, local governments have increased fees and distances to open landfills. Secondly, some of C&D debris needs special disposal methods. Finally, landfills are nearing capacity in many countries. However, the problems of using landfills in construction is the space occupied by the debris and it’s little energy facilities as combustible. Also we should be careful with some products as in the case of Asbetos.

Nevertheless the advantage of using recycled sources is huge. We can see new raw materials that were once rare or expensive, like glassphalt, newspapers for cellulose insulation, etc. The trade of these products has changed, once badly seen and now preferred by the consumers.

On the one hand, product manufacturers are reducing waste, increasing internal reprocessing and recycling, reusing packing and exploiting new resources (e.g. National Concrete Masonry Association is researching on disassemble construction techniques).

On the other hand, the author of the article states that we could get assistance in the Environmental Resource Guide (ERG), where we could evaluate the environmental consequences of design decisions. Also it says that even now clients remain concerned about the cost of recycling versus landfilling.Besides, clients could apply for projects with effective recycling plans that suppose environmental and economic benefits. These plans involve using recycled building materials, reducing water use, conserving energy, reducing material quantities… But recycling is not an easy effort because some components contribute more to disposal problems. It could have three main categories. A half of C&D are concrete, asphalt and rubble, approximately a quarter are wood products and the rest are other materials (metals, steel, plastic, etc). This different division makes necessary to set up a plan. Separation of materials and conscious efforts to reduce it, as is explained by Harry Gordon.

The article finishes with the recycling experience of three companies. The first one Metro (a public agency that works on solid-waste management) put a waste-management plan in practice when it moved into the new headquarters. This building consists of the renovation of an abandoned store and became a model for other renovations. Another example is the new headquarters for the Body shop, a cosmetic company.

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