On November 12th the Branch invited John Barrit - Aggregates Technical adviser - from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) to talk about the 'Uses of Recycled Materials'.

Photo: Andy Shakeshaft of IOQ and John Barrit from WRAP.

John initially gave an overview of the WRAP organisation which covers topics from composting, home recycling, manufacturing, through to construction - all as determined by DEFRA.

Materials covered are as diverse as recycled tyres which can be shredded into crumbs & used in construction materials or alternatively baled to provide flood defence materials or gypsum which is not only used in plasterboard, but also soil stabilisation, animal bedding or fertiliser for mushroom growing!

Within the Aggregates sector currently 25% of the demand for construction materials is being met by recycled products - this is the highest figure in Europe. However, there is still potential for further recycling:

Incinerator ash - availability increasing as demand for municipal incineration facilities also increase.
Highways arisings such as kerbs - recycled & used in foamed based asphalts, concrete aggregates & construction aggregates.

In the utilities sector, WRAP is currently working with HAUC to develop methods for measuring the in situ performance of unbound and hydraulically bound trench fill materials from what were previously waste products.

WRAP have also been working in conjunction with Dundee University to develop a specification for foamed concrete which is now available from WRAP's aggregates web site www.aggregain.org.uk

Amongst some of the more unusual products developed recently include hollow kerbs made with plastics & fine crushed rock - that can be easily picked up thus reducing manual handling issues.

Hot recycled asphalt products can currently accept 50% planings whilst cold lay materials could accept 90% recycled asphalt - making a huge reduction in any projects carbon footprint.

Recycling of high PSV aggregates back into the surface course reduces the loss of a valuable national resource.

The AggRegain service offered by WRAP's online facilities provide a huge information resource covering quality protocols, CO2 emission reduction tools & an Opportunities section that allows the viewer to easily identify and specify the correct recycled aggregate for all construction applications.

On sustainability, John emphasised that the Olympics Delivery Authority intends to recover a minimum 90% of all demolition waste, much as an alternative aggregate resource, and also requires that 25% of all aggregate requirements be met by recycled products - clearly an opportunity for potential suppliers.

Similar targets were also thought to be present within the recent bid by Glasgow to host the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

After an interesting Q& A session David Ambrose offered a vote of thanks, for what was a very informative & interesting evening.