"Concrete slabs, beams, columns and other elements from dismantled buildings can be safely reused in new construction, according to a new study. The analysis could facilitate incorporating concrete—currently responsible for as much as 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions—into the circular construction industry and make the building sector as a whole more sustainable."
If we can successfully recycle existing concrete, of course, we reduce significantly the need to produce more of the stuff:
"Building codes generally require concrete to be sound for at least 50 years. When buildings are torn down (even before the 50-year mark, as is increasingly the case) it's usually assumed that concrete's useful life is over. Old concrete either gets landfilled or downcycled into rubble for road construction or aggregate for new concrete production."
Instead, the researchers suggest there is no reason why it cannot be reused for its original purpose (or close to it):
"But until now, there has been no organized method to evaluate the potential of reusing salvaged concrete. The researchers ran thousands of computer simulations to predict the future lifespan of reused concrete, based on measurements of the condition of existing buildings."
There are calculations required in terms of how far into the future recycled concrete can last, depending on what it was used for initially, and under what conditions, but there are techniques to preserve and enhance its usable life:
"For example, a concrete slab that has been exposed to harsh elements for many decades may be best reused as an interior component. Repair and refurbishment techniques—such as waterproof coatings—can also extend the lifespan of concrete."
This is not as exciting as some sustainability topics, but seems essential if we are to make meaningful progress. Concrete is dirty stuff, but essential, so making as little of it as possible would be a big step forward.
Take care
David
David Chandler
Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Sustainable Value Creation (6e)
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There's now hard evidence guaranteeing a second life for old concrete
By Sarah DeWeerdt
February 10, 2026
Anthropocene Magazine
