--- title: Recycling Concrete Gives Old Material New Life (Asphalt Too!) description: Concrete and asphalt recycling breathes new life into old material. You can save both financial burdens on yourself and help the environment in the process. image: https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/hubfs/Park%20crushed%20concrete1-1.jpg --- [(740) 224-2416](tel:7402442416) - [Blog](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/) - [About Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/about-us/) - [Contact Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/contact/) - [Resources](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/resources/) - [Past Projects](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/past-projects/) - [Prayer Request](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/prayer-request/) - [Bible Request](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/bible-request/) [![Park Enterprise Construction Company](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/hubfs/ParkEnterprise_December2018%20Theme/Images/Park-Logo.png "Park Enterprise Construction Company")](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com) - [Asphalt Paving](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/asphalt-paving/) - [Site Development](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/site-development/) - [Subdivisions](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/subdivisions/) - [Underground Utilities](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/underground-utilities/) - [Request a Quote](https://info.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/rfq) - [Asphalt Paving](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/asphalt-paving/) - [Site Development](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/site-development/) - [Subdivisions](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/subdivisions/) - [Underground Utilities](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/underground-utilities/) - [Request a Quote](https://info.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/rfq) - [(740) 224-2416](tel:7402442416) - [Blog](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/) - [About Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/about-us/) - [Contact Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/contact/) - [Resources](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/resources/) - [Past Projects](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/past-projects/) - [Prayer Request](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/prayer-request/) - [Bible Request](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/bible-request/) # Commercial Construction & Contracting Resources ## Recycling Concrete Gives Old Material New Life (Asphalt Too!) Posted by [Eric Park](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/author/eric-park) on February 8, 2018 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Park Enterprise Construction crushed concrete](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Park%20crushed%20concrete1-1.jpg?width=361&name=Park%20crushed%20concrete1-1.jpg "Park Enterprise Construction crushed concrete") *Editor's Note: This blog was originally posted on February 8th, 2018 and was updated on July 16th, 2018. * When a building comes down or a concrete surface is torn up, what happens with the remnants? Well, one of two things: - It can sit and take up space in a landfill, or - It can be reused Yeah, we like the second option, too. Concrete and asphalt recycling breathes new life into old material. Crushed concrete from demolition projects may never become part of a beautiful building or a sturdy driving surface again, but it can certainly be [put to good use](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/the-awesome-benefits-of-recycling-asphalt-and-concrete). What luck, you can **save burdens on yourself and the environment** in the process. ## Concrete Recycling: Put Crushed Material Back to Work You don’t have to reuse it yourself if you don’t have the need. We’ll happily accept crushed concrete for recycling in other construction projects ([here are some other materials we recycle](http://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/construction-recycling/), as well). You (or someone else) can reuse recycled concrete these 3 important ways: - Construction aggregate stone - Backfill - Salvaging steel rebar ### Recycling Concrete for Construction Aggregate Concrete can be crushed down to basically any size of [construction aggregate](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/construction-aggregate-stone-grades), from muscular rip-rap rocks for retaining walls to smaller foundation stones. Most commonly, **crushed concrete is a cheaper equivalent to #304 aggregate**, a gauge which ranges from 1.5” down to fine grains that’s best used in foundations for: - Parking lots and other driving surfaces - Laying over larger #57 aggregate around [underground utility piping](http://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/underground-utility-installation/) The combination of stone and dust is ideal for compaction. As the stone and grains pack together under the weight of a roller and sheer gravity, the mix becomes a stable, yet pliable foundation. Pliability with natural resistance is important for supporting literal tons of weight from vehicles and overhead structures. Concrete recycling is popular in areas without easy access to a limestone quarry for aggregate stone. We’ve found you can generally **save 10%-50% on the total cost** if you choose crushed concrete as foundation for a parking lot or other driving surface. If the recycled concrete comes from off-site, you’d still likely **save 10%-20%**. ### Recycling Concrete for Backfill Let’s say you have a large concrete commercial [structure to demolish](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/9-questions-demolition-contractors). It will leave an equally large hole within the perimeter of the foundation. Your contractor can easily bulldoze the crushed concrete remainder into the hole as a safe, sturdy backfill. If you keep the crushed concrete on your site, it can be used immediately as backfill without any of the costs associated with trucking in new material. **Depending on your proximity to a stone quarry, those savings could be substantial.** ### Recycling Concrete to Salvage Steel Rebar Concrete structures often contain steel rebar, which also can be salvaged and recycled. This is particularly useful during steel shortages when supply-and-demand causes prices to skyrocket. ## Asphalt Recycling: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Asphalt, the [most recycled material on the planet](http://www.ehstoday.com/news/ehs_imp_36326), comes from crude oil. It occurs naturally (like at the [La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles](https://tarpits.org/)). As a man-made element, it is the heaviest byproduct of the oil-refining process. So the price is controlled by the regular [ebb and flow of oil prices](https://www.bloomberg.com/energy). Most new asphalt mixes contain about 25% recycled material. **Reclaimed asphalt lowers our dependence on fossil fuels and your carbon footprint.** ## Choose Recycling to Save Money and the Environment Concrete and asphalt should get a second chance at life. Recycled concrete could be useful as a solid foundation, a cheap alternative to limestone aggregate, or backfill following a demolition. The contents within, sometimes steel rebar, can also be salvaged and melted down in a recycling process of its own. The alternative? It sits useless in a landfill, taking up space, and forcing overmining at quarries. If you’re looking for concrete recycling in Marion, OH or the greater Columbus, OH area, [contact us here](http://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/contact/) or call (740) 223-7275.   [![Contact Us Here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3829224/7df269f2-5880-4e3f-a04d-5aef5735628b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3829224/7df269f2-5880-4e3f-a04d-5aef5735628b) Topics: [demolition](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/demolition), [demolition contractors](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/demolition-contractors), [foundation stone](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/foundation-stone), [construction aggregate](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-aggregate), [crushed stone](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/crushed-stone) ### Subscribe to Our Email! ### Recent Posts [![Ger a FREE Paving Estimate](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3829224/36c709f7-c98e-4a4d-929f-017cf5cafaec.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3829224/36c709f7-c98e-4a4d-929f-017cf5cafaec) ### Posts by Tag - [Ohio construction (62)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/ohio-construction) - [civil construction (42)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/civil-construction) - [Asphalt Paving (28)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/asphalt-paving) - [site work (27)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/site-work) - [Parking Lot (23)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/parking-lot) - [underground utilities (20)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/underground-utilities) - [contractors (16)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/contractors) - [regulations (16)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/regulations) - [rules (14)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/rules) - [asphalt milling (9)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/asphalt-milling) - [project of the month (9)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/project-of-the-month) - [construction aggregate (7)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-aggregate) - [demolition contractors (7)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/demolition-contractors) - [construction safety (5)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-safety) - [crushed stone (5)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/crushed-stone) - [demolition (5)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/demolition) - [construction equipment (4)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-equipment) - [Green construction (3)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/green-construction) - [Insider (3)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/insider) - [construction stone (3)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-stone) - [foundation stone (3)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/foundation-stone) - [Construction Loans (2)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/construction-loans) - [GPS (2)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/gps) - [stone mix (2)](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/tag/stone-mix) See all [Park Enterprise Construction Company](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com) - [About Us](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/about-us/) - [Contact](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/contact/) - [Employment](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/employment/) - [Past Projects](https://parkenterpriseconstruction.com/past-projects/) - [Blog](https://blog.parkenterpriseconstruction.com/) T: (740) 224-2416 F: 740.223.0039 560 Barks Road West Marion, Ohio 43302 Park Enterprise Construction Co., Inc. 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