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SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Scientists who tested eggshells as cement substitute found an unexpected result: Adding 10% processed eggshell powder made mortar stronger, but increasing it further had opposite effectResearchers have found a potential use for discarded eggshells by processing them into powder and using it as a partial replacement for cem...- In 2024, Arizona put 100% recycled glass beneath a 23-mile interstate expansion; the unusual material helped protect 19 sets of existing highway culvertsWhen Arizona widened Interstate 17, engineers faced a problem that drivers would never notice. Beneath the planned expansion were 19 sets o...
- In 2012, Bellingham used porcelain from 400 recycled toilets to build a roadway, diverting about 5 tons of waste from landfill. It earned the world's first official "Greenroads" certificationCities across the US are embracing creative solutions for eco-friendly infrastructure. In Bellingham, Washington, a unique project utilized...
- In 2008, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen bought 4 acres in LA's Brentwood and built with solar, composting and gray water. 4 years later, 90% of its materials were reclaimedTom Brady and Gisele Bündchen created a stunning eco-friendly French Provincial chateau in Brentwood, showcasing their commitment to sustai...
- Scientists in China have turned worn-out wind turbine blades into material for building roads: ‘The roads don’t show any cracks’Wind turbines can last for decades against the punishing winds, but what happens when they reach the end of their lives? A group of researc...
- In 2025, Netherlands turned retired wind-turbine blades into a 60-metre highway noise barrier; tests found it performed like a conventional concrete wallNetherlands’ 60-metre Blade Barrier represents more than an unusual highway wall. It is an experiment in what a circular economy can look l...
- MIT researchers are giving millions of plastic bottles a new life by turning plastic waste into homes, decks and bridges using AI robotsIn a significant development, the Atlas Building Composites, a spinout of Massachusetts Institute of Technology are turning millions of pla...
- Ireland turned retired wind-turbine blades into a 6-metre bridge; engineers also reused 19th-century railway foundations instead of building anewIreland's Blade Bridge offers a powerful lesson in how sustainable engineering can begin with a different question: not “What should we bui...
- In 2020, Australia built more than 90% of a road project from recycled waste; five million bottles went into a job that cost no more than a standard buildIn 2020, Australia built more than 90% of a road project from recycled waste; five million bottles were used in a Central Coast Council pro...
- In 2018, Victoria put the equivalent of 40 million discarded bottles into a freeway; 8,000 tonnes of crushed glass went into one widening projectScience news: 8,000 tonnes of recycled glass used in the 2018 Tullamarine Freeway widening project is a powerful example of how recycling c...
- Wind-turbine blades were too difficult to recycle, so engineers gave them a second job; in Northern Ireland, retired blades now form a pedestrian bridgeWind-turbine blades can be difficult and costly to recycle. Instead of sending retired blades to waste, engineers in Northern Ireland found...
- In 2025, Sizewell A sent over 15,000 tonnes of crushed turbine-hall concrete to Sizewell C; the recycled material was used as sub-base beneath new foundationsThe repurposing of old nuclear station concrete has paved the way for innovative construction projects. With over 15,000 metric tons of cru...
- This 40-foot US highway structure was built using retired wind turbine blades. Now it survives over 100-mph windsRetired wind turbine blades are being creatively transformed into durable highway sign structures. This project showcases the potential of ...
- In 2012, Kevin McCloud built a tiny woodland home from salvaged materials; a year later, he moved and upgraded it on a Somerset cliff using waste-powered electricityBritish designer Kevin McCloud has crafted an off-grid cabin utilizing salvaged materials, long before the tiny home trend gained traction....
- In 2024, Arizona engineers used 100% recycled glass to widen 23 miles of Interstate 17 at 19 sites, protecting concrete culverts built for a narrower highwayInstead of adding heavy soil and stone above aging concrete drainage structures, engineers used ultra-lightweight foam glass made from recy...
- Indian scientists develop a new concrete using human waste to make it significantly stronger than conventional cementScientists have found that biochar made from treated human waste, or faecal sludge, can partially replace cement in concrete and improve it...
- In 2019, Australia's Central Coast Council used 631,000 plastic bags, 117,000 bottles and 14,400 printer cartridges on a 600-metre road. 7 years later, the project remains a striking waste-to-road example across the regionCentral Coast Council is now using recycled soft plastic and glass in road surfacing. This innovative product, Reconophalt, diverts thousan...
- Pennsylvania used 5,570 tons of shredded tires in the Tarrtown Bridge approaches; project estimated to save about $514,000Discarded tires are being creatively transformed into lightweight aggregate for use in road construction. This innovative method not only a...
- Oregon’s bridge program diverted 640,162 tons of construction material from landfills; FHWA valued the landfill diversion at $21.3 million across 208 bridgesBundled bridge contracts streamline multiple projects into a cohesive framework, enhancing efficiency and minimizing costs. This strategy p...
- In 2009, Illinois used 38,881 tons of fly ash in highway construction; IDOT reported spending $1.75 million while reducing landfill use and cement demandIllinois highways are increasingly integrating fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, as a sustainable option for road construction. This...
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