Environmental Aspects of Waste Utilization in Construction

A general survey of waste utilization in construction is made from an environmental engineer's point of view. Generic environmental impacts are reviewed with a view to the alternative impacts of waste disposal. Applicable Federal regulations are briefly reviewed. The environmental impacts of five major construction uses are discussed: ceramics and insulation, concretes, aggregates, construction metals, and embankments, road base and landfills. Techniques of mitigating these impacts are also discussed. The most important environmental impacts appear to be dusting and leaching; both of these are substantially mitigated by solidifying the waste. On the whole, environmental considerations strongly favor more extensive waste utilization in construction, although particular wastes may be too risky to use.