Testing ecological suitability for the utilization of recycled aggregates

Abstract

The utilization of inert recycled materials obtained from construction and demolition waste must be assessed, among others, in terms of their potential impacts on the environment and human health. The ecological suitability for subsequent applications is proven based on their chemical composition, the content of harmful substances, and their potential leakage into the surrounding environment. The ecological criteria are always determined according to the requirements of the legislation in force and according to the demand for a specific type of waste and its utilization. However, the specification of limit values for the evaluation of the content of harmful substances and other monitored parameters is a questionable issue. This article presents the results of an experimental program focused on the monitoring of the environmental risks of recycled aggregates. The analysis of the results of laboratory tests of recycled bricks, recycled concrete, and soil with aggregates points out the difficulty in complying with the conditions for the potential utilization of these recycled materials on ground surfaces. The objective of these tests is to compare the results of laboratory tests of recycled bricks, recycled concrete, and soil with aggregates obtained from different recycling facilities to the limit values stipulated by legislative regulations.